MOTORISTS AND THE LAW,

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 18 August 1933, Page 4

MOTORISTS AND THE LAW,

In a vigorously-worded -presidential address Mr W. O’Callaghan, in opening the annual conference of the North Islamd Motor Unioni, made out a strong case for certain amendments in the law as it affects motorists. The anomaly which exists in regard to the penalty for the *‘conversion” of cars was driven -homo by a comparison with the penalty which may -be inflicted for the theft of a few sheep. The pro-test against the light view taken by the law of the theft of motor cars -has become a hardy aninual at all conferences of motorists, but the blame for thalt must rest on the Government, which persists in its refusal to recognise oar “(conversion” for the serious offence it really is, not only against the rights of property, but against the common right of all citizens to protection again-st the irrerSponsibles who drive stolon- cars often -to- the danger of the public. Mr O’Cailllaglian’-s reference to, the operation of the law in .respect to, the third party risks opens -up the need for consideration of amendments in other directions in justice tor everybody, while -the case lie makes out. for the right of a motorist ■charged with by-law offences to give ■his evidence “on -commission” in, his ho-me-fowii is irrefutable. The indifference displayed .by -successive governments to the persistent demands off the motorists in so me of these directions is difficult to- understand. Amendments off the law -on the three points referred to are needed 1 , not only in the in-ter-Gsts off mo-torists as a class, 'but in the interests of the public generally a,nd in the cause of enlightened justice. There is certainly good' ,reason for mo-torist.s to feel, with the president off the Unio-n, that “the slowness- of the Government to- protect the property, liberty, and rights of the .motorist stands o.ut in shaip contrast to- the indecent haste with which the Government acts when sofm-o -new taxation- is to be imposed on motor users or some irksome regulation is ito be thrust upon them.”