-..,, Thursday,iMarch‘1f1,~11976§
this'friendly type basis. I had not planned on speaking to the Draft Address in particular. I had hoped to say a few words on the Budget but there were two things that prompted me over the past twenty-four hours. I think both of these things were promptedor came from the Junior Member from Fifth Kings who did state yesterday, coming into the Assembly here, that he thought some of the facts and figures that I might have or be able to present pertaining to accidents, particularly highway, would be of benefit to Members of this Legislature and also to the people of our Provmce. I do know that he is deeply concerned, being a medical doctor, with the welfare of people from the medical aspect. The second reason is that I felt being a member in the Legislature, that I would like to make a few brief remarks on his comments. Before getting into my speech which I have written out today, a dozen words probably, I would like to commend several people in the Second District of Queens for their many achievements and accomplishments over the past year. As you know, Sir, and all Members of this Legislature, the Second District of Queens is the best district in Prince Edward Island in farming, in fishing and in tourists. We’re fortunate to have Cavendish, Anne of Green Gables, beautiful beaches right along our North Side in North Rustico within our bounds. We also have ex- cellent beaches on the south shore and I’m sure we can get a desk banging here from my fellow Member from Second Queens who has a cottage on that beach. Equally as nice a shore to come and spend a holiday for any of our tourists or any of our local citizens. Many of our people in Second Queens leave the Province almost annually in the showing of their livestock at exhibitions and in their crop production. This year we did not win the Rural Beautification Award but last year we did win the Provincial title in our area. Also, Sir, we have the distinction of having residing within Second Queens Mrs. Moreside. our most senior Island citizen. Second Queens, in my mind and I was born there, I don’t live there at the present time although representing it, but I still feel that it is the best district in the Province. I would like, Sir, to express to the Ministers of Government and, through them, to the De- puties and all members of the staff of each and every Department for all courtesies and privileges and assistance given to me at any time that I had occasion to visit or to request things on their behalf or through them. It’s certainly a privilege and an honor to be a Member of the Alex Campbell Government. I have worked with them being Party Whip; working with them in caucus; dealing with them, and so on, on a personal basis, through the Government Departments, and I find that I get the utmost co-operation from each and every one of them. I respect them all as people, as cabinet ministers. as leaders of the Government of the Province. I feel that they are putting every effort forward for the betterment of every citizen in Prince Edward Island. I, personally, am very, very proud to be part of that Liberal Government.
(Applause)
In the matter of safety, and I talked on this last year, Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out once again a few facts and I might say that while the Hon. Mr. Hickey was speaking the other day, I thought that he had had a few notes, that I hadn’t any was this sheet here from the Motor Vehicle Division of some of the statistics. I think he quoted it right down and I had wondered at that time whether I should say anything. However, I realize that his source of figures in his Depart- ment are the ones that I must rely on when I speak about anything on motor vehicle. I’m very happy that they instituted the car inspection. I’ve heard a lot of criticisms both pro and con as to why it should have been implemented and why it shouldn’t have. I think, Sir, that the safety of those of us driving cars on the highway depends a great deal on the proper working order and condition of that vehicle. I’ll grant you it’s probably not the leading cause of accidents and everybody’s probably think- ing liquor is. Liquor is involved in a good many of them but I say that carelessness and inattentive driving is the main and leading cause of all accidents pertaining to highway and I think you can carry that word ‘carelcssness’ over to any kind of accident whether it be on the farm, in the home or in industry. I would hope, Sir. that with breathalizer tests being in use now that this might be a further deterent, something a little extra to make that person think before they take that next drink while they’re on the road.
J. Walter Dingwell: Do the authorities have to charge the individual of an infrac- tion of the Highway Traffic Act before this breathalizer test is administered? I’ve been asked this question. I don’t know what the answer is.
—299—