MOTORING ACCIDENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19423, 7 September 1937, Page 9

MOTORING ACCIDENTS

RIGHT TO DAMAGES PROOF OF NEGLIGENCE AMENDMENT TO LAW (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, last night. Grave concern was expressed to an Otago Daily Times reporter to-day by the president of the Automobile Association (Otago), Mr. F. J. Williams, when he was asked to comment on the proposed legislation designed for removing the necessity for proving negligence as a basis of damages for injuries caused by motor cars. He said that the* motorists could rest assured that their interests in this respect would be closely watched by the motor organisations throughout New Zealand. Mr. Williams said he was not pre-, pared to comment at length on the Attorney-General's intentions. bul he described them as "No good." The legislation, which it was proposed to introduce, was of the greatest interest to all motorists and they should follow it carefully. The question would, no doubt, be fully discussed at the annual meeting of the motor unions, and members could be sure that their various organisations would watch events closely. Another prominent member of the Automobile Association stated that the proposal was a very drastic one, and, in some respects, could be expected to cause some apprehension among car owners. He thought that the measure should not be adopted in haste, but he was convinced that, with certain safeguards, it could operate to the mutual advantage of the motorist and the victim. At least, the driver of the car involved in an accident would have more certainty as to where lie stood in the matter of liability. At first glance, it appeared to be a further imposition on the section of the community which, at the present time, appeared to be carrying "other people's babies," but it was possible for a change in the direction indi-1 cated to, be advantageous to all con-, corned, except, perhaps, the insurance companies, who might consider it necessary to increase the premiums,