WAR ON MOTORS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 254, 18 June 1932, Page 8

WAR ON MOTORS

LORD SANKEY DECLARES MOTORS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. MORE DEADLY THAN WATERLOO LONDON, Saturday. Motors were compared with beasts during a spirited attack in the House of Lords by Lord Sankey. Despite Lord de Clifford's warning that it would drive the poorer motorists off the road, Lord Danesfort's measure to enable injured pedestrians to seeure compensation without proving negligence by motorists passed its second reading. Pedestrians, euriously enough, get more sympathy in the House of Lords than in the Commons. Lord Sankey declared that if a man kept a savage animal he was liable, apart from negligence, for the damage that it might cause. A motor was a potentially dangerous machine, which could be driven on the highway at express speed. Nevertheless, he admitted that the bill would involve a substantial increase in insurance premiums and lead to an increase in unscrupulous and fraudulent claims. Lord Buxton said that motorists should no longer continue to enjoy a degree of liberty never conceded to the railways. If the whole of the armies engaged at the Battle of Waterloo had been killed or wounded, the carnage would have been less than two-thirds the annual motor casualties. Whole Hog? Motorists were always the aggressors, though pedestrians often took unneeessary risks and annoyed drivers. Annoying drivers, however, was not a criminal offence, and did not merit a sentence of death or disablement. "Why not have done with the whole thing and proclaim cars a public nuisance?" aslced Lord Halsbury, ironically, whereupon Lord Cecil declared that he was ready to hamper the motor industry if this would save life. Lord Howe, famed for speeding, declared that the bill would save life, but would encourage pedestrians to cross roads without responsibility. Many displayed appalling recklessness, and crossed streets reading newspapers. Lord de Clifford pointed out that motoristc contributed millions to the Exchequer, yet they were considered fair game. He advised that the class war between motorists and pedestrians should cease. The Parliamentary Secretary for Transport (Lord Plymouth) said he thought the bill went too far. He advised caution and said that the Government would not participate in the division.