ASSESSING OF DAMAGES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19130, 26 September 1936, Page 14

ASSESSING OF DAMAGES

JURY QUALIFICATIONS DOUBTS OF MOTORISTS CONFERENCE. REQUESTED (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The qualifications of juries to assess damages for injuries resulting from motor accidents has been the subject of representations to the. Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, by the North Island Motor Union, and at the annual meeting to-day of the South Island Motor Union it was agreed to give the North Island Union the fullest support. The North Island Motor Union's letter, which was before the meeting, said that, after an investigation into awards of courts of damages, resulting from motor accidents, the union was concerned with the qualification of juries to assess damages. Various alternatives to the procedure followed at present fiad been suggested. Some held that a special court should be established similar to that which considered marine claims and another suggestion was that a jury could determine the guilt and the damages be assessed by a special tribunal. It had previously been suggested that a conference on the matter be held during the Parliamentary recess between the Minister and representatives of the Law Society, the Justice Department, insurance companies, motor organisations and others interested.

Hie North Island Union asked for an assurance that this conference would be lield and the South Island Union heartily approved the North Island Union's, letter to the Minister.

! Another matter concerning road accidents which was before the union was a suggestion made by the AttomevGeneral, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, that compensation > should be paid for ail injuries suffered on the road irrespective of negligence. The South Island Union expressed agreement with the North island Union's suggestion that this matter also be discussed at, the conference with the Minister during the Parliamentary recess.