N.I.M.U. CRITICISED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 264, 4 August 1936, Page 10

N.I.M.U. CRITICISED

Apathy in Road Safety Campaign Criticism of the North Island Motor Union for apathy in the national safety campaign was levelled by the chairman ■of the Automobile Association (Wellington), Mr. E. A. Batt, at the monthly meeting of the association last night. Mr. Batt said he thought it was time, delegates to the union demanded some explanation. Mr. Batt said New Zealand had never had a Minister of Transport who was as enthusiastic in his job asl the Hon. R. Semple, but the opportunity of achieving the objects motoring associations had been working for for years had never been seized.

“That is where we have fallen down as the N.1.M.U.,” said Mr. Batt. “I feel that the N.I.M.U during the past six months has been, dormant. The sum of £6OOO has been made available, but the scheme has been allowed to die a natural death. I am too disgusted to discuss it any' further. I think it reflects very seriously on the N.I.M.U. If our contribution is merely being used for secretarial duties!, we might as well keep it and use it ourselves.” In reply to Mr. E. Palliser, the secretary said a sub-committee had been appointed to approach the Minister regarding the amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act.

Mr. G. D. Hamilton asked whether it was detrimental for the headquarters of the N.I.M.U. to be at Hawera. The chairman: Most of the work of the N.I.M.U. is political. Mr. Hamilton: Then it ought to be situated where Parliament sits. “I think the time has come for a complete break and for the headquarters to be shifted here,” agreed the chairman. “I do not say that in any parochial spirit, but simply because Parliament is situated here, and it is most inconvenient with the union so far north.”