S.I.M.U. Not In Favour Of Amalgamation With N.I.M.U.

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28702, 27 September 1958, Page 18

S.I.M.U. Not In Favour Of Amalgamation With N.I.M.U.

Although the South Island Motor Union conference yesterday 'rejected two motions seeking further discussions toward amalgamation with the North Island Motor Union, there were indications that delegates would favour greater authority for the existing standing committee from both unions so that more national representations equid be presented with one voice.

Mr A. C Perry (Canterbury) moved a remit seeking interunion discussions on the terms under which a national motoring body might be set up. Five automobile associations in the South Island were definitely interested, h. said. The conference was being held in the historic Canterbury Provincial Council Chamber, which must have heard many speeches toward central government early in the 1870’s. He hoped this was a happy augury toward a national motoring body. “Equality Essential” The New Zealand Automobile Union, founded in 1916, had survived only seven years, said Mr T. E. V Turpin (Otago). There Were features about its failure which could arise again. Equal-j ity between the two unions was essential. The advantages of a single union were obvious; but so were the problems about votinj rights. Today the unions coulc work together through their joint committee; but such amity, might not continue with a future change of officers. He moved an amendment seeking discussions about equal voting rights as a basis for further talks.

The wider scope of the remit was preferable to the amendment, said Mr C. J. Walker (South Canterbury). Seizing on a bone of contention was no help toward better cooperation, said Dr. R. G. Mathieson (Canterbury).

The voting issue must be settled to clear the way for all other discussions, said Mr Turpin. . The amendment was lost by a large majority, and then the remit was also lost by 15 votes to 10 on a delegates’ show of hands and by 50 votes to 38 on, an “association vote” based on membership. Voting Safeguards Mr H. W. Dowling (North Island Motor Union vice-president) then made an appeal that talks on closer liaison should not be dropped. The N.I.M.U. had constitutional provisions that the big associations, such as Auckland and Wellington, coujd not outvote the minor ones. The same thing might be done in an interunion body. As a compromise in the meantime, could not the standing

committee of both unions be invested with greater status and authority Mr Dowling asked. It could deal with matters specifically referred to it, and get the two unions’ approval for any matters

it initiated. With four members from each island, with one vote each, and the chairmanship alternating annually between the two islands, there would be absolute equality qnd a basis for drawing still closer together. The president (Mr R. Twyneham) said he thought this proposition would be acceptable to delegates if notice was given of its official presentation. Th- matter was deferred, pending formal submission of such a scheme.