Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MAY 11th., 1936. ROAD VICTIMS?

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1936, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MAY 11th., 1936. ROAD VICTIMS?

JT is reported that all branches of the motor industry are busier, Auckland distributors recently declaring that they have sold more ears in the first four months of this year than in the first six months of 1929, regarded in the trade as the best year in the last quarter-century. “There is every prospect of new sales records being established this year,” said the sales manager of a leading firm handling both English and American cars.

This is good news, if it does not mean there is every prospect of new road-accident records also being established. The more the cars the more the users of the roads, and the more the possibilities of accidents. Every week brings its fatal toll .of victims, an ever-increasing number, unfortunately. If this state of affairs continues, public opinion will demand more drastic action than has hitherto been forthcoming. There is little wrong with the modern cars, which have been brought to a state of mechanical perfection, that they should be almost fool-proof. Human carelessness, or indifference, to the rights of others, is the main cause of the heavy casualties, a fact generally admitted. Despite appeals from motorists’ own organisations, protests in the Press, and magisterial warnings, speed-fiends abound, and intoxicated drivers are not rare.

The day is long overdue ■when penalties on motorists convicted of

negligence should be really severe, and not a matter of a few pounds by way of fine, arid a temporary cancellation of license. Most drivers are careful and temperate. The other sort are a danger to them as well as to pedestrians. It is in the interests of all concerned that road-accidents should be reduced to a minimum, and the only way of doing this is to make the punishment really fit the crime. It cannot be yet claimed that the roadhoir has been really discouraged.

STATE MINES. AFTER 50 years’ service, over 30 of these on the West Coast. Air. I. A. dames is to resign on superannuation. There will be general hope that' In 1 will have pleasant years ahead. Fifty years is a long time to serve a Department, and Air. James from small beginnings rose to be Superintendent of State Collieries. During his term he saw great developments, lean and fat times for the coal industry, industrial peace and industrial strife. He is entitled now to call it a day, leaving others to carry on the work.

There will be general district approval of the appointment, as his successor of Air. C. J. Strongman, who is one of the best known and popular men engaged in the Coast coal-mining industry. He will possess the confidence and goodwill of the miners, as well as that of Departmental chiefs, and disputes should be kept at a minimum. Air. Strongman enters in charge under a Labour Government which professes keen interest in the welfare of miners, the Minister of Alines, himself, being a practical miner, with a first hand knowledge of the working conditions. It is to be regretted that despite this, idle days at the State Alines have been many this year, and it is to hoped that Air. Strongman will be able to make the work less irregular. The prosperity of Greymouth is partly dependent upon State Aline activities, thus ,on material, as well as personal grounds, all will hope that the new Superintendent will have a successful term, and that those under him will be given opportunity to earn adequate and regular wages. For their part, the miners should avoid adding to the difficulties inseparable from the Superintendentship.