FARMERS SENT HOME

Southland Times, Issue 23676, 26 November 1938, Page 5

FARMERS SENT HOME

DRIVERS’ LICENCES NOT CARRIED

ACTION OF INSPECTOR CRITICIZED “We should protest against the highhanded action of the traffic inspector,” said Mr R. Sim at the meeting of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday when it was stated that a traffic inspector had recently arrived at the Thombury dairy factory when farmers were delivering their milk and because they did not have their drivers’ licences with them they were ordered to go home and get them. It was stated that the farmers kept their licences in their pocket books which they carried only when they used their cars.

Mr Sim said that when the traffic inspector saw the farmers at the factory and was told by the farmers that they held licences he had only to look up the records in the county office to prove that they were the holders cf licences. If a driver said he held a licence when he did not he would commit another offence by his false statement.

The discussion arose when the following remit from the Thornbury branch was considered: “That where an owner-driver has more than one motor-vehicle his driver’s licence be issued in duplicate so that he can arrange that at least one be in his possession when driving either vehicle.” Several members said that many farmers drove more than one motorvehicle and found it inconvenient to keep their driving licences always with them. If they were supplied with duplicate licences one could be kept in each vehicle and difficulties would not be likely to arise. Mr G. A. Hamilton said it would te advisable to discuss the remit with a representative of the Transport Department. It was possible that there was some serious objection to the proposal or it would have been introduced years ago.

It was decided to invite a representative cf the Transport Department to meet a special committee of the executive.