REG. MORGAN HAS A NEW TRAFFIC SONG

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 71, 1 November 1940, Page 47

REG. MORGAN HAS A NEW TRAFFIC SONG

T is now two years since the first New Zealand Traffic Song-a musical warning to young people to take care when crossing busy streets-was introduced to listeners of the CBS, and in that short time the traffic song at 8.15 every week-day morning has become an integral part of the day’s programme and a recognised "time signal " for countless families. The idea of a traffic song was brought to New Zealand by Reg. Morgan, who made several of these songs in Australia, the first

being for a "Safety First Campaign" over there, inaugurated by the Northern Road Motor Association. The Transport Department of Australia recognised the value of these songs, and when Mr. Morgan returned to New Zealand he sold the idea to the Transport Department of New Zealand. Most listeners will recall the words of the first traffic song which, sung to the tune of "There is a Tavern in the Town," was arranged and recorded by Reg. Morgan, with the choir of the Lyall Bay School, Wellington, assisting: The old school bell is ringing now, ringing ROW «ee

Apart from the daily song of warning broadcast from the ZB stations a great amount of work is being done to make New Zealand children traffic safety conscious. Within the schools, teachers have taken a much greater interest in this question than is generally known. The Transport Department was quick to realise that the person best able to impart traffic instruction to children was ‘the teacher. In 1938 primary schools throughout the Dominion were supplied with material for instruction, including bright posterettes and wall-notices, and in the same year with a booklet covering all aspects of conduct by pedestrians and cyclists in relation to motor traffic. These and other similar measures were undertaken in collaboration with the Education Department, and now even school exercise books have instructions and traffic rules printed on the back. The Transport Department also employs two well-qualified road-traffic instructors, who visit schools and instruct the children in co-ordination with their teachers, Other branches of protection work include the making of films, two of which have been produced and are being shown at all schools. On the road, as opportunity offers, the department’s traffic inspectors give advice and help to children, and many parents must have been reassured and comforted by the sight of a traffic inspector helping some little child across a street. The new traffic song which has just been recorded by Reg. Morgan will no doubt prove just as popular and" just as effective as those in the past have. The words are as follow:

When you leave your home or school, Remember well this golden rule, Look before you cross the street, Use your head before your feet.

" Safety first" your slogan be, " Safety first" for you and me, Safety first,’ Ob it means take care On every public thoroughfare.