Legislative Assembly

weapons and in particular, their production by Red China, has increased the pos— sibility of their ultimate use in war. Civil Emergency planning must, therefore, provide for the implementation if necessary, of appropriate measures prior to the possible commencement of hostilities involving Canada, as well as those which stem from requirements of total defence should be attacked.

Supervision of Co-operatives also comes under the Provincial Secretary’s De- partment, and during the year just passed reports indicate that they are progressing very favourably, their sales having reached an all—time high of $11,700,000 with a membership of 8,000. The supervision has been under the Department by an em- ployee of the government. The co-operatives have now suggested that they be granted the funds covering this and that they take care of their own supervision. This is under consideration at the present time.

The Queen’s Printer in the Printing Division of the government continues to expand and the demand for services exceeds the capability to provide all of them. Over 750 jobs were completed last year, as well as the weekly printing of the Royal Gazette. New equipment is being added and the service given is of the highest quality and is satisfactory.

The Racing and Sports Commission took over the supervision of Stock Car Racing during 1967. Regulations were drawn up and approved by the government. Two tracks are operating, one in Freetown, and one in Covehead. It is considered that these two are adequate for the province.

Both Summerside Raceway and the Charlottetown Driving Park had success- ful harness racing seasons and a total of 85 race meets were held. Supervision pro- vided by the Commission has been effective, and their aim is to endeavour to take measures necessary to improve the quality of the sport, which will benefit the own- ers. the track management and the public.

I would now like to deal with the Motor Vehicle Division. There is a con- tinuing increase in the vehicle population and the number of drivers being licensed is showing a similar growth. There is also a higher number of traffic accidents recorded for the year just past. Twenty—nine persons were fatally injured compared to thirty-three in 1966. In addition, there were 686 persons injured, some crippled for life, with an estimated property damage of $932,000.

In the field of driver examinations, 8,693 tests were given during 1967.

Under consideration is a program which would require drivers of motorcycles to undergo special tests before a license to drive a motorcycle is issued. Similarily under consideration is a system of issuing drivers’ licenses by class of vehicle to be operated by the licensee. In other words drivers of heavy vehicles such as, trucks and buses would be required to have their license specially endorsed.

We hear a great deal about the war in Viet Nam. People organize sit-ins, marches, panels, and boycotts to stop it. We are deeply perturbed when we read about aircraft fatalities. These are all very serious things, but nothing we can do much about. We can, however do something about automobile safety. We pick up our newspaper and find that one person is killed every two weeks on the average in this province, and two persons per day are injured. This is something that can be prevented. We hope that accidents will be reduced through inauguration of the Veh- icle Inspection Program which came into effect on March first. We are well aware that not all accidents are caused by vehicles with faulty equipment. However, it is certain that a bad driver operating an insufficiently equipped vehicle doubles the accident potential on our highways. The removal of one may prevent an accident. and surely the next step must be the removal of the other. There are 138 licensed stations, and over four hundred authorized inspection mechanics to do this work.

Many safety talks were delivered at various Institutes. Church groups, Driver Education Courses, Industrial Safety Banquets and Allied Youth Groups. Film pre- views involving a motor vehicle staff. RCMP, Municipal Police and Workmen’s Com-

pensation Board were held throughout the year.

Close liaison was kept with the radio and TV, in Public Relations, and Public Education efforts. Thirty-eight Highway Safety Columns were written in the Char-

lottetown Guardian. —222——