MOTORING WRITERS CRITICISED.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17940, 7 December 1923, Page 4

MOTORING WRITERS CRITICISED.

NORTH ISLANDER'S REMARKS

AT CONFERENCE.

The motor writers of tho South Island newspapers generally wero taken to task by Mr L. A. Edwards, <m« of the Nortli Island delegates to the N.Z. Motor Conference held in. Christchurch last week. At the conclusion of the discussion on the proposed change of name of the New Zealand Automobile Union to that of the North Island (N.Z.) Automobile Union, Mr Edwards said he hoped that there Tvould be no more comment on the question in the South Island newspapers. He referred particularly to the article which appeared in the motoring pages of "The Press" last Friday, .and said that it was misleading, giving the impression to outsiders that there hod been a great deal of bitterness between the two unions. Mr Edwards delivered his speech with eotae forcefulness, but he did not mention one specific instance m which the article had been misleading. He said also that the newspaper, controversy had achieved no good purpose, but was calculated to ferment inter-island jealousy and disagreement. The, best reply to Hie charge of insincerity is, it seems to "Roadster," the decision of the conference —to change the name of the North Island organisation. That has been the sole object or the articles which have appeared in this page from thn« to time, and that object achieved, "Roadster," aiid the other motoring *vTiters in the South Island who have taken part, can afford to be generous and ignore the attack on their veracity by Mr Edwards. "Roadster" has no hesitation in claiming that any comment made on this page has been fair arid has in no way descended to bitterness, but the case has, of necessity, always been approached from tjie South Island view, and that view, apparently, has not pleased Mr Edwards. , It can be further stated that anything contributed to the controversy by "Roadster" has been in conformity with South Island motoring opinion, reflected at conferences of delegates whenever the subject has been discussed. ./