REPLY TO JUSTICES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 182, 3 July 1937, Page 2

REPLY TO JUSTICES.

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 3. The question of making it necessary for Magistrates to hear all eases involving drunken motorists is to he considered hy Hon. R. (Semple, who to day made a reply to the resolution passed by the Canterbury Justices of ihe Peace, expressing resentment at his criticism of the lenient treatment extended to intoxicated motorists by some J ustices of the Peace. .“In criticising the action of the Justices of the Peace of Blenheim,” 6aid the Minister,' “I had in mind several recent cases. Outstanding among these have been cases at Masterton and Invercargill, which have been fully reported in the Press. At Masterton the Bench comprised two Justices of the Peace, who imposed a line of £2 and took no action in respect of the offender’s license. At Invercargill some months ago there was also a case where the lenient punishment meted out by Justices of the Peace attracted public attention. I want to make it clear that I had no intention of casting any reflection on the Justices of the Peace generally, as they are an essential and important part of our judicial system. “I have l>een entrusted by the people of New Zealand with the duty ot making the roads safe. The plain fact is that drunkenness among motor drivers is increasing, and I am continually receiving representations to'take steps in the interests of human safety to prevent it. This is a decided contrast to other classes of motoring offences, all of which are on the decline. It has been pointed out to me, time and time again, that there are some Justices who do not appreciate the seriousness of the position, and I reiterate my statement ma.de in Christchurch that the decision in some cases has been appalling. I propose to discuss the matter with the Minister of Justice, as I consider it may lie necessary to make arrangements that all eases of drunken motorists come before a Mag'S>lr Semple added tliat he find no apology to make and no regrets to express to the Justices who had resented his attack on what lie believed to be a miscarriage of justice. “T look at this question from the point of view of saving human life, and I am determined to put an end to the drunken driver who turns hi« ear into an infernal machine and himself into a potential murderer,” Mr Semple concluded.