SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23753, 26 September 1942, Page 6

SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION

;ANNUAL CONFERENCE A representative meeting of delegates frbm all parts of the South Island attended the twenty-second annual meet- • ing of the South Island Motor Union held in Christchurch yesterday. Mr W. K. - Carey presided. •, The Canterbury Automobile Association presented a remit asking that representations be made to the Government, requesting that in all cases where cars are laid up because of war conditions, whether the owner be soldier or'civilian, the registration fee of £1 be not charged. At present the law provides that if a car is unlicensed for two years the owner is compelled to pay again the registration of £1 The rtoit was carried. . Warrants of fitness was a subject of long discussion, and a remit from the Canterbury Automobile Association suggested that the union consider a suggestion that warrants of fitness be required in respect of 3000 miles, of travel, or alternatively once a year during the war period. . The motion, amended to read 5000 instead of 3000, and with the addition of the words “whichever is the shorter," he added, was carried with few dissentients. ■ The Canterbury Association also suggested that the War Damage Premium for Motor Vehicles be reduced to 2s per cent, in conformity with the rate being charged in England, and that further representations be made to allow the Motor Unions each to have Representation on the Central Advisory Tyre Committee. . In both remits the suggestions were adopted. The secretary reported that information had been received from Wellington that Army vehicles involved in motor accidents would come under the same jurisdiction as the ordinary motor vehicle. The union viewed with satisfaction the action of the authorities in a matter which had for some time given motorists cause for concern The annual report said f 1 the imposition of restrictions affecting motoring and depleted staffs through gcnerai mobilisation had made the year a difficult one for associations, and it was surprising that membership had kept up as well as it had done. There are at'present 27,294 members, compared with 29.506 in 1941. 29,738 in 1940, 28,722 in 1939 and 23,950 in 1938. The possibility of enemy action in this country had resulted in the introduction of a War Damage Insurance scheme compelling owners of property to'effect cover against war damage risk. A commission had been set up to control the scheme and a flat premium rate i of-5s per £IOO was fixed. In view of the fact that the mobility of motor vehicles was a protection against ; enemy action, representations were ; made by the motor unions against what i was considered an unduly high rate for i‘ this class of property, but the author--1 sties had not consented to make any re- | auction. ■t The election of officers resulted:— li President, Mr W. R. Carey; vice-presi- | dents Messrs P. W. Breen. M. M. Maci donald, and C. M. Rout; executive, , Messrs H C Harley, B. Falck, J. S. I Hawk e . E ' F. W. Freeman, R. Wilson, R, H. Parker, and A. Donaldson.