"ABSOLUTE FAD."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 205, 30 August 1928, Page 9

"ABSOLUTE FAD."

ONE MOTOR REGULATION. _— 1 RED REFLECTORS AT REAR. STRONG PROTEST IN OTAGO. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, this day. Red reflectors on the rear of motor cars are not considered necessary by members of the Otago Motor Club. The president (Mr. A. E. Ansell) said at a meeting that when" in Wellington he had told the Public Works Department lie considered it an absurd regulation. The Department replied that public opinion had asked for it. However, the Department was unable to recall any cases where an accident had occurred through a tail-light going out, so he (Mr. Ansell) had asked why a reflector should be used. The executive had decided to bring up a remit at the meeting of the South Island Motor Union, requesting that the Government withdraw tte regulation. If the idea was insisted upon it would cost the motorists of New Zealand

£40,000 for what he considered an absolute fad on the part of some of the departmental heads.

Referring to tail lights, the chairman said that although the Government did not intend to be arbitrary in the matter, it had been agreed that tail-lights should in future be on the right-hand side of cars, and it was understood that manufacturers were to be informed accordingly. It was not necessary that driving mirrors should be placed on the outside of the car. If, when placed inside, they gave a clear view of the rear traffic, it would be quite sufficient.