MOTORISTS “PERSECUTED”

Evening Star, Issue 22143, 25 September 1935, Page 6

MOTORISTS “PERSECUTED”

TRAFFIC INSPECTORS ATTACKED DISCUSSION BY AUTOMOBILE MEMBERS “It is persecution, not prosecution,” declared Mr J. H. Hinton, in a strong complaint at the annual meeting last night of the Automobile Association (Otago) against the increasing number of charges of driving in a manner “ which might be dangerous to the public.” Mr Hinton referred to the “ invidious charge.” In his opinion, the solicitor who had remarked that an increasing number of reputable citizens were being brought before the court to defend the charge had spoken frankly. He had been prosecuted himself, and he considered that he had been convicted against the merits of the case. Very few motorists bad not ou occasions committed breaches of the speed limits, but it did not follow that they had been driving in a manner dangerous to the public. The phraseology of the present charge should be removed, itbeing inequitable and against the administration of justice. Once clothed in a uniform and dressed in a little brief authority traffic inspectors became impertinent to citizens. “ The time has come when we should put our foot down and demand that the man who might drive his car ,a little fast should not be treated as an ordinary criminal, and that he should be treated with the respect to which he is entitled. (Hear, hear.) 1 feel very keenly on that because I know of instances where the inspectors have not treated motorists with due respect. Representation should be made on the point to the proper authorities.” - Mr Hinton also complained of defendants in motoring cases being summoned to appear at 10 a.m. and having to wait hours before their cases were called.

Mr P. AV. Breen contended that any motorist who broke the speed limits should ,be prosecuted and fined. Mr A. H. Allen assured the meeting that impertinence by the traffic inspectors would not be countenanced by the City Council. The inspectors were expected to he respectful. They had a duty to carry out, and when breaches warranted prosecutions no person was excused.