TO OPEN ON MONDAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 134, 3 December 1938, Page 10

TO OPEN ON MONDAY

PROCESSION ARRANGEMENTS

FLAG TO BE KEPT UP

The first New Zealand Safety Week on a national scale will open on Monday, and in Wellington the first official move will be made by the chairman of the campaign committee, Councillor Luckie, by hoisting the fifteen-foot safety-first pennant on the flagstaff at the Town Hall at 9 o'clock. Each centre is sending up a pennant, which will stay in place as long as the accident record remains clean.

Today the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and members of the campaign committee sent out a general challenge to all comers that Wellington would be the last to haul the flag to halfmast. It is for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to keep the flag up.

The movement originated in Christchurch, first as a local campaign, but the idea widened under the encouragement of the Transport Department; however, as Christchurch took the first step, it claimed the presence of the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, for the opening ceremony. Mr. Semple will return to Wellington during the week. MINISTER'S MESSAGE. Today, Mr. Semple sent a message to the local committee regretting his absence from Wellington, and thanking, on behalf of the citizens of Wellington, the many public and private organisations and the Press for the enthusiasm shown in the organisation of the campaign.

"The need for some concerted effort is shown by the fact that in Wellington City in the past six months there have been 14 fatal, 76 serious, and 127 other accidents, in which one or more persons were injured," stated Mr. Semple. "To every accident causing personal injury there were several in which vehicles were damaged, a very heavy property loss. And if one were to include the accidents on the outskirts of Wellington in which Wellington drivers were involved, this heavy accident loss would be substantially increased.

"These road accidents are not inevitable. Practically every one of them could have been prevented by the exercise of a little more care. Two hundred lives would be saved in New Zealand each year, if all road users were cautious and courteoeus. Care and courtesy will be especially necessary during the approaching holiday season, and I would appeal to all the Wellington road users to show in their holiday driving and walking habits the Christmas spirit of 'good will to men.'

"The Wellington road safety record compares very favourably with the record of other centres. It is up to the Wellington pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists to place the Capital City first in New Zealand, during the holidays, in the saving of life and limb on the road."

Petone has arranged a special display above the requirements set out by the Transport Department.

The whole of the pupils of the Technical College will take part, the older pupils representing the number of casualties during last Christmas holidays. The various motor firms will co-operate and provide buses and motor-cars, old and new; the whole of the Borough Council's fleet of motor vehicles will take part, as well as the fire brigade, and as grim reminder's of danger there will be an ambulance van and.a hearse.

The Technical College Band will provide the marching music, and the processions will be led by a Maori in national dress.