TOLL OF THE MOTOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22957, 12 August 1936, Page 6

TOLL OF THE MOTOR

"SAFETY FIRST" CAMPAIGN MINISTER’S FIRST STEP CONFERENCE OF INTERESTED PARTIES (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 11. The first step in the national “ safety • first” campaign which is being pursued by the Minister of Transport, Mr R. Semple, will be the holding of a conference of interested organisations in Wellington on Friday, August 21 The Minister will preside over the conference, which will fully examine every aspect of the transport system related to safety on the roads. "The object of the conference,” said Mr Semple in an interview this evening, “ is to seek the co-operation of the people of New Zealand in an effort to reduce to a minimum the number of fatal accidents on our highways. In the last six weeks no fewer than 50 persons have been killed in motor accidents throughout New Zealand, and I am convinced that the great majority of these accidents are preventable. The efforts the Transport Department is making to prevent this slaughter cannot be successful without the co-operation of the public. “I am pleased to see that the magistrates are tightening up the penalties meted out to persons convicted of motoring offences, particularly the drunken driver,” continued the Minister. “I commend them heartily for that.”

Mr Semple said that the agenda to be submitted to th<v conference would deal with every aspect of transport that involved safety on the roads. Invitations were being sent to automobile associations, the Municipal Association of New Zealand, insurance companies, garage proprietors, educational and religious organisations, representatives of the four main centres and adjoining boroughs, the Counties Association, and the New Zealand Justices’ Association. The Transport Department, the Education Department, the Police Department, and the Main Plighways Board would also be represented. Anyone else who was interested would be welcome to attend the 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 the whole journey, and, as Minister of Transport, I am determined to do that. My department is at present busily engaged In drafting new regulations to be embodied in the code governing the transport of the Dominion, and the conference will have an opportunity of discussing these regulations. “ I appeal to the people to take an interest in this conference, and in its findings, as it will be the first step in the national safety-first campaign, which, I hope, will have the effect of reducing the toll from motor accidents. “ Other features of the campaign will be the distribution of gramophone records of talks on transport matters, wireless talks, films, and other activities. for I am determined to take advantage of every avenue of promoting safety that is open to us. We must prevent this wholesale slaughter on the roads.”