BILL AFFECTING INJURY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAVELLING

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 October 1946, Page 6

BILL AFFECTING INJURY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAVELLING

FIXING OF LIABILITY

(P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., Oct. 2. The very fact of the Bill being necessary disclosed an inexcusable and indefensible condition of the law, said the Hon. P. J. O’Regan, in the Legislative Council this afternoon, when moving the second reading oi the Passengers’ Rights Conservation Bill, which he introduced recently. The Bill's main provision is to render invalid exculpatory conditions endorsed on passengers tickets or otherwise expressed, whether the passenger travels by land, sea or air. Mr. O'Regan said there had been appalling illustrations of injustice to passengers of ships which were wrecked in New Zealand waters.

He felt sure there was complete unanimity that a shipping company should not be allowed to contract itself out of its liability. “If you are injured by air travel, or by sea travel, through the negligence of the master, or anybody in charge—any of the company’s servants or agents—you have no claims,” said Mr. O’Regan. “If you are killed, your widow' has no claim for damages. My Bill is designed to remedy that shameful condition of the law.”

Mr. O’Regan was applauded when he resumed his seat. The Bill was referred to the Statutes’ Revision Committee.