"AMBASSADOR" TO MOTORISTS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22345, 8 March 1938, Page 18

"AMBASSADOR" TO MOTORISTS

SECRETARY OF BRITISH ASSOCIATION SIR STENSON COOKE TO TOUR NEW ZEALAND ITHE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, March 7. Long association with the motorists of Great Britain, and the organising of motorists against "persecution," have been the life work of Sir Stenson Cooke, general secretary of the Automobile Association of Great Britain, who will make a 2000-mile motor tour of New Zealand during the next month. Sir Stenson Cooke arrived at Auckland by the Mariposa, his visit being made at the express invitation of the Automobile Association (Auckland). Sir Stenson is the original secretary of the British motoring organisation, the influence of which has extended to every country in the world. In the last 33 years he has travelled widely in his capacity of a "motoring ambassador," studying the interests of motorists and their immediate difficulties. On the way to New Zealand he made contact with federated organisations ' in Africa, India, and Australia. "I am eagerly looking forward to my trip through the Dominion," said Sir Stenson. "It will be interesting to compare road conditions and traffic regulations and their operation. "We have the 30 miles an hour speed limit in built-up areas in England, and it seems to be working very well," he said. "No reduction has been shown in the number of fatal road accidents, but taking into account the ever-increasing number of motor vehicles being put on the highways, the position must be improving. "London traffic has been greatly improved by the lighting system of control." said Sir Slenson. "The handling of the continuous volume of traffic in Trafalgar square and at Hyde Park corner—perhaps the world's most i congested thoroughfares—is done very | smoothly by lights. Visitors commend Ihe system and often drive round and round the circuses mentioned to see how easily vehicles are controlled. "Pedestrian crossings will be a success in time if the spirit of give and take is constantly encouraged to foster a more friendly understanding between pedestrian and motorist," he added. "Great credit is due to the big industrial interests in England for their contribution towards road cour- | tesy. They have instructed many lorry drivers to extend privileges to other motorists, and in many cases notices are painted on the backs of vans informing other travellers that they are welcome to the right of way. That is the spirit we want to encour. age among motorists. More of the 'please and thank you' atmosphere on the highways will go a long way towards making road travelling safer."