THE MOTOR YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 31, 6 August 1923, Page 2

THE MOTOR YEAR

N.Z. AUTOMOBILE UNION

'Dn.T'KIMCNCB OF OPINION WITH HOnTH.

The chief point made, in |.|, ( . annual roiir.it, of tlm Nf> w /,e(il»nil Automobile Union, |r, 1,0 presenter! at Urn annual meeting on Thursday next, i» the regrettable difference of opinion between orgmiised motori/tts in the North and South Islands respectively. "it is regrettable," continues the reP"H. and mainly as ft result of a difference of opinion between this union and the Soutf. Island one n* to the "mount of the license f c .; to b e paid l, v motorists. Utnt, the Motor VehicW Rill ,Ims again b e e7i deferred, but it i» hoped ■inf. it will be introduced and paaHtd i' S l .S.u 5S.i 0"." f, flni'liar"c"t- Th» P™poHcd. Bill ,« „f thn utmost importance, an, among other things, it, will provide the only sntisfftctory ch^ck on reckie.iß and (irtiiKeronu driving by giving power to suspend or cancel a driver's license. Furthermore. the work of the Highway,, isoftrd may be gerioualy restricted through insufficient funds if w , adequate license feo is not paid." ■The executive oxpnxmt disappointment that ,U efforts to get united action botweon the union and fhe South island hare met with the success doßircd but feels that unity and ™rm. ony w»" eventually be accomplished. Another conference between the two bodies WI H he held next month. Reference w made to the moat importmg by Parliament of the Main Highways Act. Tho Bill gave the executive a considerable amount of work The executive feels confident that the new Act will prove of. inestimable value to tiie whole country, and cpnsiders that praise ib due to tho Hon. J. G. Coates lor the able and satisfactory manner in which he handled a difficult task. During the year repeated attempts were made to get motdi-ista in all principal North Island towns to form local associations, : bnt so far success was attained only in Wanganui. "The apathy ot North Island motorists may be overcome in .time, probably when they set a less active and competent executive to watch their interests," the report comments.

Other matters mentioned in the report are the opposition of the union to the erection of toll-gates, with the re-affirmation, at the same time, of the principle that motorists should contribute towards the coat of road maintenance; the increasing number of levelcrossing accidents and the danger of motor-speed trials on the public roads. Ihe financial position of the union shows a considerable improvement over previous years, mainly as the result of reduced working expenses. There is a credit balance of £141 6s, leaving, with an outstanding subscription, an excess of assets over liabilities of £151 16s.