N.Z. AUTOMOBILE FEDERATION

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27639, 21 April 1955, Page 8

N.Z. AUTOMOBILE FEDERATION

FORMATION OPPOSED BY OTAGO (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, April 20. Opposition to the formation of a New Zealand Automobile Federation, which has been proposed by the Auckland Automobile Association, was expressed at a meeting last night of the Otago Automobile Association. Members criticised the "irregularity of one provincial body seeking to form a national body about 'itself.”

A memorandum from the Auckland association outlined the distribution of membership of the proposed body and its functions, and said that, so that there should be no misunderstanding, the North and South Island Motor would not be eligible for membership. The proposed body, it said, was designed to represent New Zealand motorists on an international level by becoming a member of the International Touring Alliance, which dealt with international matters. Auckland, which had independently been a member for 32 years, considered that the rest of the Dominion should have a part in international motoring. The Otago association passed the following motion:—"That this association considers it inadvisable to become a member of the federation as proposed by the Auckland association, and that instead it recommends to the South Island Motor Union that it approach as soon as possible the North Island Union with a view to the incorporation by both unions of a body to be known as the New Zealand Automobile Association. This shall be formed on similar lines with regard to powers and voting as the existing standing committee set up by both unions and shall exercise such powers and functions as both unions shall decide,"