POWER OF ARREST

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 21

POWER OF ARREST

TRAFFIC INSPECTORS* DUTIES MOTOR UNION FAVOURS PROPOSAL The proposal to give the power of arrest to traffic inspectors has divided the North and South Island Motor Unions. The North Island Union has opposed this measure, but the South Island Union, at the annual meeting yesterday, confirmed the decision of its executive to support the proposal provided the traffic inspectors, are given an adequate course of training in this specialised branch of their work. Members took the view that the benefit to the community to be derived from the additional check on the drunken motorist would more than outweigh any curtailment of the freedom of the individual motorist that might be involved.

Dr. S. A. Gibbs, the president, said that the North Island Union had decided, by 38 votes to 25, to oppose the proposal of the Minister for Transport. He moved that the union express the view that it did not see sufficient reason to change its former decision. In explaining the viewpoint of the North Island Motor Union, Mr R. W. Roydhouse said that the proposal opened up the possibility of a grave restriction on the freedom of motorists. The present regulations gave traffic inspectors ample powers to carry out their duties, and there had been unfortunate cases of traffic inspectors accosting drivers who were-proved to be quite sober.

Other North Island delegates emphasised that the granting of this power could lead to abuses and they asked for unanimity of opinion of the motoring organisations in opposing it. - “Are we concerned with the liberty of the intoxicated motorist?” asked Dr. Stanley Brown in supporting the measure. North Island Union representatives emphasise that they did imt wish to shelter offenders. It was tne risk of mistakes being made that the union wishes to minimise. Dr. Brown; Exactly the same thing can happen in the case of arrest by the police. Interests of Road Users Mr W. R. Carey said that it was the union’s duty to safeguard the lives of all users of the road. When the executive had expressed its opinion it had been influenced, perhaps, by a particularly glaring case, of an innocent life being lost through the irresponsibility of a drunken driver. The executive' had taken the view that motorists should be prepared to sacrifice something to safeguard the lives of the people. Mr J. S. Hawkes mentioned that the proposed powers for traffic inspectors would be an additional check on the activities of motor-car thieves. "We are advocating safety on the roads,” said Mr M. M. Macdonald. “If we go back on our decision we will not be consistent. I think we should ask the North Island Motor Union to reconsider its decision on this matter.”

Mr F. W. Freeman supported the measure. "We are now training a very efficient body of men who control traffic and it is essential in the interests of their efficiency that they should be given the power of arrest. In a local body on the confines of- this city the traffic inspector is constantly coming up against positions where he requires the power of arrest.”

“We have to be very careful to see that any move on our part is not inimical to public welfare,” said - Dr. Gibbs, in replying. He considered that the proposal was in the interests of the road-using community. The motion was carried without dissent.