LIQUOR AND THE ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 12, 14 July 1938, Page 11

LIQUOR AND THE ROAD

ALLIANCE'S OPINION

SUGGESTIONS TO AUTHORITIES

Several important resolutions relating to the consumption of liquor by motorists were passed unanimously at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Alliance, which resumed in Wellington today. The meeting is the largest for many years, and much of its work has to do with the unification of the policy of the Alliance. Representatives are present from ■ all parts of the Dominion.

Some of the more important resolutions are as follows:— ,

"That while this annual conference of the New Zealand Alliance, representative of delegates from the whole Dominion, endorses the decided appeal made by the Hon. Minister of Transport to all motorists to abstain from intoxicating liquors, there are still all too many tragic indications that this advice is falling in vain on the ears! of a considerable body of irresponsible motorists. We therefore urge the Government to introduce preventive measures making it an offence for motorists to drink alcoholic liquors at least within two hours of driving or whilst in charge of a vehicle. We also urge that it should be regarded as an offence to sell, give, or supply intoxicating liquors to any person in charge of a motor vehicle." ■ INSURANCE : REBATES. "Following the lead of some prominent insurance companies, we urge that total abstainers be granted a re- j bate on their annual payment of motor insurance. We believe that it is a violation of all justice that the careful driver should be faced with increased charges for insurance because of the continued actions of those who appear to be callous to all scientific and humanitarian appeals.".

"We commend to the attention of the Hon. Minister of Transport the effort being made in the Auckland district to warn motorists by the use of placards and road signs of the appalling consequences of drinking whilst in charge of a motor vehicle."

"Owing to the continuous record of road tragedies due to alcoholic liquor consumption by motorists, and the inability of many to gather the necessary impressions from mere statistics, we ask the Minister of Transport to introduce a travelling practical demonstration that will visualise by graphs, and models the fact that last year New Zealand suffered a loss of life almost equal to the loss suffered by that major national disaster, the. Hawke's Bay j earthquake." ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Bishop F. A. Bennett; vice-presidents, the Revs. J. R. Blanchard, W. J. Com-' rie, J. Paterson, and P. Paris, Sir William Hunt, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan,, Messrs. J. I. Royds, F. B. Adams, H. S. Adams, C. E. Bellringer, J. S. Baxter, L. E. Falkner, F. A. Feist, J. B. Gow, C. M. Luke, T. M. Macky, H. S. Pacey, A. J. Stallworthy, and C. Todd; Mesdames N. Peryman and T. E. Taylor; chairman, the Rev. J. R. Blanchard; deputy chairman, Colonel F. W. Burton; executive committee, the Revs. A. A. Armstrong, J. E. Lopdell, A. G. Saunders, A. L. Silcock, and L. J. BoulJ ton Smith, Messrs. C. Edmond, F. C. Spratt, B. H. Wood, A. H. Ivory, W. R. Kingston Smith, J. Malton Murray; Misses M. Chappell and C. E. Kirk; associate members, Messrs. E. P. Hay, H. E. Combs, G. L. Stewart, and T. C. Brash, Mrs. Hiett; honorary secretary, Mr. A. H. Ivory; honorary treasurer, Mr. H. Ormerod. j