TRAFFIC INSPECTORS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 19 December 1936, Page 10

TRAFFIC INSPECTORS

SCHOOL SUGGESTED BY MR SEMPLE “ONE SHOCK AT A TIME” (Unifetl Press Association) CITRISTCI-lURChT 18th December. The establishment in Wellington of a training school for traffic inspectors, chiefly for instruction in the regulations and in court procedure, has been recommended by the Mim ister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple). Speaking to the executive of, the Automobile Association, Center--bury, Mr Semple said that he bah suggested this step to the Commissioner of Transport (Mr G. L. Laurenson).

Mr Semple said he was dissatisfied with the knowledge and abilities of many inspectors employed at present. Some of them, he said, did not even know die law affecting traffic, and were incapable of “putting two words together” in the courts.

“I have talked with traffic inspectors in this country, and they don’t even know the laws have been amended,” the Minister said. “We want men who are quite competent, able to get into court and defend themselves and the Government in 0 dignified manner. As it is, the other fellow lias only to employ a lawyer to knock the inspector out of court. “In my opinion the tremendous number of fatal accidents is entirely due to obsolete by-laws and lack of national control,” he said. “Some of the boroughs have inspectors who are pound-keepers and sanitary inspectors and are sometimes on Unload. But the roads are not policed at all. It is purely a pimp system. It can’t go on.” Opposition to the coming roaa safety legislation from local bodies was inevitable, the Minister said. “If I were inclined to flinch at opposition I would probably withdraw the bill. But when I balance a petty little borough council with its halftime inspector who pimps behind a stump, against the value of human life, I throw my weight behind human life. They must all get out of the road, I am satisfied that ultimately the control of traffic has to be nationalised. But one shock at a time. Little drops of medicine at a time are best.”

Mr Semple gave the highest praise to the work of the automobile associations, both for the erection of warning and direction signs and for patrolling the roads. The department desired their co-operation, he said.