50 Deaths in Six Weeks

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 189, 12 August 1936, Page 5

50 Deaths in Six Weeks

Semple's Campaign

“MUST PREVENT WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER” Per Press Association. WELLINGTON’, Last Night. “No fewer than 50 persons have been killed in motor accidents throughout New Zealand during the past six weeks, and I am convinced that the great majority of these accidents arc preventable, ” said the Minister of Transport, Hon. K. Semple, in an interview this evening when .discussing the clamant need of a national “safety-first’’ campaign. ' The Minister added that a conference of organisations interested in a “safetyfirst ” campaign would be held in Wellington on Friday, August 21, as the initial step toward a national attempt to reduce motoring fatalities on the road. Mr. Sernplo will preside over the conference which will fully examine every aspect of the transport system as related 1o safety, “The alfeet of the conference,” said the Minister, “is to seek the co-opera-tion of the people of New Zealand in an effort to reduce to a minimum tho number of fatal accidents on our highways. Tho fact that in the last six weeks no fewer than 50 persons have been killed in motor accidents throughout Now Zealand should be sufficient to command full support for an effective crusade. The efforts which the Transport Department is making to prevent this slaughter canuot be successful without the cooperation of tho public. “I am pleased to seo that tho magistrates aro tightening up tho penalties meted out to persons convicted of motoring offences, particularly the drunken driver,” continued the Minister. “I commend them heartily for that.”

Mr. temple said that tho agenda to be submitted to the conference would deal with every aspect of transport involving safety on the roaas. Invitations were being sent to Automobile Associations, the Municipal Association, the New Zealand Alliance, insurance companies, garage proprietors, educational and religious organisations, representatives of the xour main cities and adjoining boroughs, the Counties’ Association and the New Zealand Justices’ Association. Tho Transport Department, Education Department, Police Department and tho Main liignways Board would also be represented at the conference, xknyono eise who wag interested in the question would bo welcome to attend tho conference. “It is noticeable already,” continued the Minister, “that the recent transport legislation has had a very desirable effect and the Government has been commended from one end of the country to the other. This is only a start, but we have to go tho whole journey, and as Minister of Transport I am determined to do that. My department at present is busily engaged in drafting new regulations to be embodied in a code governing the transport of the Dominion. The conference will have an opportunity of discussing these regulations. “I appeal to tho people to take an interest m this conference and in its findings as it will bo the first step in a national ‘safety-first’ campaign which I hope will havo tho effect of reducing the toll of motor accidents,” added the Minister.

“Other features of tho campaign will be tho distribution of gramophone records of talks ou transport matters, wireless talks, films and other activities, for I am determined to take advantage of every avenue towards promoting safety that is open to us. We must prevent the wholesale slaughter on the roads.”