MR. SEMPLE SATISFIED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 July 1938, Page 7

MR. SEMPLE SATISFIED.

WORK OF NATIONAL ROAD PATROLS. “POWERS OF ARREST” TRAFFIC INSPECTORS (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. At the conclusion of a refresher course for Government traffic inspectors in Wellington to-day, inspectors who were present from all parts of the Dominion, were addressed by the Minister of Transport, Hon. E. Semple, who expressed entire satisfaction with the road patrol work during the 19 months wherein the national scheme had been in operation. His desire was to get the traffic regulations as near to perfect as possible, he said, and no one was better able to say what was needed on roads than the inspectors. If any inspector knew of anything that would help to give the public the maximum service with the minimum risk the Department would be glad of suggestions.

Mr. Semple stressed the - preventive side of traffic control, as against the punitive, and said a Traffic Amendment Bill, which would be passed next year if the Government were returned to office, would improve the position of inspectors, particularly as it would give them the right of arrest. If the road control were to be successful convictions should decrease as motorists were taught to be careful.

Statistics showed that service car drivers rarely had accidents, and if their training had that result, other drivers, could be similarly trained. Experience where largo crowds gathered and where good control of traffic was arranged showed that control could obviate accidents.

The inspectors assured Mr. Semple that they were anxious to help in any way possible.