MOTOR ACCIDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22999, 30 September 1936, Page 10

MOTOR ACCIDENTS

SERIOUSNESS OF POSITION 9 MINISTER’S STAND COMMENDED (Special to Dailv Times) AUCKLAND, Sept. 29. Concern at the increasing number of motor accidents in the Dominion ■was expressed by Mr B. L. Donne, chairman of directors of the'North Island Motor Union Insurance Company, when speaking at the eighth annual general meeting of members to-night. “ I must emphasise the seriousness of the position in New Zealand,” Mr Donne said. “Naturally with more vehicles using the roads a greater number of accidents is to be expected, but the number and seriousness of these is out of all proportion to the increase in the traffic.”

To illustrate the truth of his remarks Mr Donne quoted the following figures showing t ratio of pay 'huts on claims to the net premium income in the years mentioned:— 1929, 14.6 per cent.; 1930, 39.4; 1931. 44.18; 1932, 55.14; 1933, 63.6: 1934. 47.7; 1935. 58; 1936, 72.7;Mr Donne said it was gratifying to find Mr Semple taking such an intense interest in the question of reducing accidents and it also was satisfying to see that two representatives of the automobile associations had been appointed to the recentlyformed National Safety Council ** There ran be no doubt that unless the position regarding motoring accidents improves very considerably motorists will be faced with substantial increases in the premiums for compulsory third-party insurance,” he added.