THIRD-PARTY RISKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5225, 11 January 1928, Page 2

THIRD-PARTY RISKS.

COMPULSORY INSURANCE SOUGHT.

BOROUGH COUNCIL SUPPORTS. At the last meeting of the Paeroa t Borough Council the following interesting letter was received from Mr H. H. Thompson, Wellington, relative to third-party insurance risks:— “Serious, as arc, the effects of war, only twice in the past half-century have our men been sent to the front. All. those injured by warmer their dependants, . are provided for by ths State.

“Thq motor-car every year kills or permanently disables about five hundred of our-peopJe. This toll is rapid? ly increasing, and no other cause reduces our population and national efficiency so seriously. “Usually the victims of tlie motor find they have no effective remedy, as the motorist causing the trouble is frequently not worth “powder and shot.’ Many bankruptcies have resulted through motor claims Already the annual deaths and disablements are many more than those that came with’n the Workers’ Compensation Act when it had been i,n force a year —and it was found necessary to pass that Act over 27 years ago. “The victim of the; motor has the right to full damages under the Common Law whenever 'he can sho,w negligence. on the part of the driver, but what good is this when he cannot ob--tain them ? Compulsory third-party motor insurance is urgently necessary, and I> would suggest that you cannot afford to let this session pass without making it effective. Full time exists before March 31 next, the date of motor registration, to get the necessary machinery for carrying out the Act.

“For an average premium of £2 yearly on each motor vehicle full cover against all third-party risks, including passengers, can be given if done by the State. The necessary Bill would be so short and non-con-tentious that I would suggest that it can still be passed easily this session.

“Motor losses in the aggregate throughout New Zealand total to a tremendous sum every year. It is in your power to reduce; this loss to a. minimum. I hope /and believe that the appeal being made to you throughout the Dominion Will not be in vain.” After some discussion’ on the contents of the letter, which was datqd November 17, 1927, Cr. F. E. Flatt moved that the request be supported. Cr. J. W. Silco k seconded the resolution, which was carried, the Mayor and Crs. E. Edwards, P. E. Brenan, and E. A. Porritt recording/ the'r votes against. The Mayor said that in his opinion the whole matter was one for the Government and not for local bodies. He could, not understand why 1 local bodies were expected to fatheir such measures.

This view w.as shared by several of the councillors.