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REPORTS.

No. 210, 1932.—Petition of F. J. Lake. Praying for compensation for alleged business losses as a result of the passing of the Motor-vehicles Act, 1928. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th November, 1933.

No. 494, Sess. 1, 1932.—Petition of T. Lunam and 261 Others. Praying that the wage-tax be not increased to Is. in the pound. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17 th November, 1933.

No. 193, 1932-33. —Petition of E. A. Bailey, of Lower Hutt. Praying for compensation for alleged injury arising out of motor accident. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. The evidence in this, and other known cases, shows very decidedly that an alteration of the gazetted arrangement with the Motor-vehicles Third-party Pool to pay compensation in what are termed " hit-and-run " cases should be made. The present " arrangement " includes two important provisions : (1) Negligence of driver of striking car must be established ; (2) it must be proved that the car (or other motor-vehicle) was fitted with a number-plate of the current year. As proof consistent with the latter clause is in many cases quite impossible and tends to injustice, the Committee is impressed with the desirability of having this provision deleted, and recommends the Government to favourably consider opening negotiations with the insurance companies concerned with that object in view. The Committee, being cognizant of the fact that with the growth of motor transport the number of accidents increases, considers that the question of compensation for damages caused on the road by motor-vehicles should be investigated by a Select Committee to be appointed by the House, empowered to confer with the representatives of insurance companies, motor organizations, and other interested bodies, and to report to the House. It also considers that the investigation should cover the three important proposals at present under consideration by the British Parliament: — (1) That instead of the pedestrian having to prove negligence on the part of the motorist, negligence on the part of the motorist be assumed until the contrary is proved. (This procedure obtains in eleven out of thirteen countries where inquiries have been made. and transfers the onus of proof of negligence from the injured person to the driver of the vehicle causing the accident.) (2) That the defence of contributory negligence be eliminated, the defendant being exonerated only where the accident is wholly due to the fault of the injured person. (3) That in the case of " inevitable accidents " —that is, where no negligence is proved on other side —the risk should be covered. The proposals outlined are admittedly of a drastic nature, involving alterations in the law of negligence, but are in keeping with overseas developments ; and the Committee considers that the New Zealand Government should no longer delay in considering the advisability of adopting them, or some modification of them, that will make possible compensation for motor accidents not adequately covered by our existing law. 28th November, 1933.

No. 222, Sess. 2, 1932. —Petition of Greater Australasian Films, Limited. Praying for remission of penalty for late payment of income-tax. I am directed to report that, as a matter of policy is involved, and the petitioners admit responsi bility for some degree of negligence, the Committee lias n<> recommendation to make. 28th November, 1933.

No. 104, 1931.—Petition of Mabel J. Greensill, of Marlborough. Praying for inquiry into alleged loss of her position in the Public Service. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration, and, further, that a Committee of Inquiry be set up tii investigate the circumstances of the petitioner's dismissal from the Maori Hygiene Department of the Public Service, together with the allegations made against her, and the alleged improper issue of medical certificates as to her mental and physical condition. 28th November, 1933.

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