AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATIONS READY TO SERVE EMPIRE!

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 206, 30 August 1940, Page 11

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATIONS READY TO SERVE EMPIRE!

A PROGRESSIVE ORGANISATION.

EDUCATIVE AND PRACTICAL.

JHE North Island Motor Union —the N.1.M.U., as it is popularly known—both in itself and through its affiliated automobile associations, is one of the most progressive and most useful organisations in the Dominion. Its activities touch upon the lives of -every individual in the community. For the safety and convenience of the motoring public it maintains a watch upon the roading system, guides and guards the motorist against trouble, helps him when he does meet difficulty, and insures him

against riek. Its safety campaigns, both on the educative side and in practical application, are of importance to all citizens. War Activities. The war has further increased the scope of the activities of theee organisations. In their annual report to the twenty-6eventh annual conference of the N.1.M.U., now being held in Auckland, the vice-presidents, Messrs. J. H. Edmundson and A. Grayson, state:—

During the greater part of the year our operations have been conducted against a background of war. Even prior to the outbreak of hostilities, the motor unions assured the Government of their willingness to place at the disposal of the Government, if required for war purposes, their entire organisation, including the motor transport end services controlled by the automobile associations. This was acknowledged with full appreciation by the Right Hon. P. Fraser, then acting-Prime Minister,

but eo far circumstances have not been such as to cause demand to be made for the offer to be fulfilled. However, that does not mean that the automobile associations have not been able to help. In many districts where plans have been prepared or are in the course of preparation under the Emergency Precautions Scheme officers of automobile associations have been appointed either to be controllers of transport or to occupy some other position of importance in the scheme, while in those districts where Air Raid Precaution plane are being - developed, but automobile associations are giving assistance for which, of course, they are so well qualified. Valuable service is being rendered, too, by representatives of automobile associations, who have been appointed to the Oil Fuel Control Committees to administer the petrol rationing regulations. Thus, the experience of our A.A. men and the facilities of their organisations are available for important national service*. Direct aid to those "on the field" is offered in the decision recentlv made

whereunder New Zealand Automobile Associations are providing two motor ambulances for use by our forces. The Army Department Vβ grateful to accept the gift and appropriate action is being taken to provide vehicle* in accordance with Departmental specifications. They will be known as '"New Zealand A.A. ambulances." Growing Membership. Each year brinjje the automobile associations a growing influence end a growing membership. The annual report this year records yet a further increase to another record figure. Its consistency, the report states, is proof of the efficiency of the associations in their service to members, and of the appreciation of the public for those services. The percentage of increase in membership ie much higher than the percentage of increase in the number of private cars licensed. Auckland has the biggest membership. It has grown from 16,913 members in 1935 to 32,205. Tie total membership for Xew Zealand has grown from 31,590 in 1933 to 73,862 in 1940.