SAFETY FIRST

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 26 March 1927, Page 14

SAFETY FIRST

BIG CAMPAIGN PROPOSED CO-OPERATION OF NORTH REQUIRED (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. An initial step was taken at the quarterly meeting of the South Island Union towards the launching of a national “Safety First Compaign,” to involve the co-operation of Government and other organisations throughout the country. A comprehensive report by a special committee was based on the findings of American investigators, and dealt with schools propaganda, uniformity of traffic, town planning and the collection of statistics by insurance companies. Among other media for carrying out a Dominion-wide “Don’t get killed” publicity campaign emphasis was laid on the high death-rate incidence through motors in this country. It was pointed out that Auckland, in proportion to population, had more fatalities in 1926 than most of the big American cities had in 1925, and double those of London in 1923. Mr. Bernard Falck, president of the Canterbury Automobile Association, said the thanks of the Motor Union were due to “Chassis,” of the Christchurch SUN, who had furnished a great deal of information and assisted the executive in compiling the report. Mr. Fred W. Johnston said the report must be made the basis of action. He made a plea for “third party insurance.” In America 200 newspapers were at the back of the “safety first” movement. In the past, he said, newspapers have done well by us, but theres are two motoring writers in New Zealand, “Spotlight,” of the “Dominion,” and “Chassis,” of the Christchurch SUN, who deserve a special meed of praise for the way in which they have dealt with motoring questions and assisted with “safety first” measures as far as they have gone at present. “I hope,” he continued, "that other newspapers like the SUN will step into the breach and help to minimise the accidents and fatalities which are all too common. Mr. A. E. Ansell, president of the union, said this Dominion was only a young country and the number of fatalities was far too great. It was decided to circulate the report among the associations and invite cooperation from the North Island Union in framing a finalised scheme to present to the Government.