THE DRUNKEN DRIVER

Evening Star, Issue 22682, 23 June 1937, Page 8

THE DRUNKEN DRIVER

TO RECEIVE NO MERCY HAS TO GET OFF THE ROAD, SAYS MR SEMPLE APPALLING DECISIONS OF JUSTICES OF PEACE [Pen United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 23. “ I am determined to get rid of tho drunken driver. This potential murderer has got to got off tho road,” said the Hon. It. Somplo to-day, when referring to the new transport legislation which ho proposed to introduce in, the next session of Parliament. Tho Minister said he intended to give the drunken driver no mercy. Ho had to get off the road, as ho was a menace to tho rest of the community. The decisions of Justices of the Peace in some cases against drunken drivers had been appalling, and that state of affairs had to come to an end. So far as the magistrates were concerned, they were administering the law as it stood very fairly indeed, and he was pleased to notice that they were becoming stricter in dealing with this class of offender. “ I am satisfied with their decisions and comment, which is in lino with my own view—that these men are a menace to the lives of innocent people.” He added that the new Bill will provide for consolidation of the Motor Vehicles Act with three amendments, the Transport Licensing Act with four amendments, and a number of clauses affecting transport in the various Public Works Acts.