DRUNKEN DRIVERS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27410, 24 July 1954, Page 9

DRUNKEN DRIVERS

ALLIANCE DISCUSSES PENALTIES

IMPOUNDING OF CARS SUGGESTED (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 23. The impounding of the motor-cars as well as suspending the licences of motorists convicted of drunken driving was suggested at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Alliance at Wellington. Delegates said that convicted motorists were still able to travel in their cars if driven by their wives or other members of the family. The added penalty of impounding would make them think twice.

The discussion arose from a remit from Timaru asking the Government to consider the danger of licensees selling liquor to motorists and that the penalties for drunken driving be increased.

Mr F. H. Southgate (Blenheim) said that impounding should be left out of the matter altogether. The alliance should concentrate on promoting imprisonment and increased fines for offenders. The present fines, he said, were a mere bagatelle, and imprisonment would have a greater effect.

Mr F. A. de la Mare (Hamilton) said he thought that hitting offenders financially was the one penalty that counted. It was a bad thing for comparatively innocent persons to become used to prison conditions. If such persons were to be sent to prison, special prisons should be provided. The conference agreed that the Government should press forward with plans for compulsory blood tests of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drink.

The alliance also urged that more stringent measures be authorised to establish the bona tides of hotel guests, that public bars in hotels be locked at 6 p.m., that much greater penalties be imposed for breaches of the 6 o’clock closing law, and that it should again be made illegal for liquor to be taken from hotels after hours.

A decision was made to approach the Government after the General Election asking it to have temperance taught in schools. The general superintendent (Mr H. W. Milner) said that temperance teaching, a compulsory subject, was not being taught in New Zealand schools.

Officers elected were:—president, the Rev. G. H. Goodman (Wellington); vice-presidents, the Rev. H. A. Darvill (Hamilton), Mr C. W. Lopdell (Auckland), Mr T. C. Brash (Christchurch), and Professor S. F. Hunter (Dimedin).