Motorists have new protector

Press, 6 July 1977, Page 2

Motorists have new protector

(Wellington reporter)

A new organisation has been formed in Wellington to protect the motoring public and promote its interests — Protection Organisation for Motoring Public (P.0.M.P.). The offspring of a group of friends who were dissatisfied with the motorist’s treatment, P.O.M.P. now seeks membership and support from throughout New Zealand. A membership fee of $5 provides a membership sticker for a car window, plus details of the organisation’s alms and objects. The five main objects are:—

To save elderly people the stress, strain, and humiliation of having to go for a driving test, plus the expense, etc. To save the motorist all types of harassment, e.g., double taxation without warning, plus petrol costs, spare parts, warrants of fitness, etc.

Legal aid and advice on all motoring offences. More and better roads, more parking, and more free parking. Changes in the policing of motoring offences, particularly the “hide and seek” attitude of the Ministry of Transport, plus a “more relaxed and better relationship all round.” The secretary of P.O.M.P. (Mr L. Griffin) said that the new organisation was not intended to compete with the Automobile Association, but would not comment on the

job the A.A. was doing when asked if P.O.M.P. did not spring from dissatisfaction with the A.A-'s performance. “We feel very strongly about the way everyone Is treating the motorist,” he said. “We want to know what other members of the public think and feel about it.”

P.O.M.P. has placed advertisements in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin daily newspapers outlining its aims, and seeking suggestions and grievances from other motorists as well as the $5 membership fee. Mr Griffin said that he could not provide any more information about P.O.M.P.’s aims than had been included in the advertisements. No advertisements had been placed in either Auckland dally newspaper, because both newspapers had complained about the wording supplied, he said. Other advertisements would be placed depending on public support.

“Different members feel strongly about different aims, and if we get enough members we intend to register as an incorporated society to pursue these aims,” Mr Griffin said. Neither the New Zealand A.A. nor the Wellington A.A. had ever heard of P.O.M.P. or Mr Griffin, and were unable to comment on whether it constituted a breakaway movement from the A.A. in Wellington.