MOTOR UNION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 11

MOTOR UNION.

Meeting of Executive Committee. The executive committee of the South Island (N.Z.) Motor Union met last evening:. There were present: Messrs F. W. Johnston (president), W. R. Carey, J. S. Hawkes. R. H. Parker. 11. C. Harley and P. R. Harman (secretary). After a discussion in committee it was reported that the Southland, Marlborough and South Canterbury Automobile Associations had expressed their willingness to reciprocate with North Island associations in the matter of free road service under the scheme in operation in the North and South Islands. The union was still awaitine replies from the Otago, Waimate and Nelson Associations. Defended Prosecutions. A letter from the North Island Motor Uni<ki drew attention to the expense motorists were put to if they desired to defend prosecutions brought against them for minor breaches of the motor regulations when the offence was committed at a distance from their place of residence. Motorists were faced with the alternatives of travelling long distances to defend charges and taking witnesses with them, or of pleading guilty. The letter recommended the alteration of the law to allow of evidence being taken cn commission. After the president had reviewed the position from the legal standpoint, a motion was carried expressing the opinion that it was not reasonable to dictate to the prosecution as to whether or not it brought witnesses from a distance to give evidence before a court of hearing. The right of the prosecution to present its case to a court in such a manner as it though fit should be preserved, subject to the discretionary power of the court, where a conviction was entered, of allowing the prosecution such costs only as would have been incurred had the evidence been taken on commission. The executive reasserted its previously expressed opinion that defendant should in all minor cases—that was to say all cases not involving injuries, to persons, or charges involving driving a car when intoxicated— have the right of having his evidence and that of his witnesses taken at a court other than the court of hearing. It was decided to hold the half-yearly of delegates at Oamaru on March 29.