MOTORISTS CONFER

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 80, 1 October 1924, Page 6

MOTORISTS CONFER

N.Z. AUTOMOBILE UNION

ANNUAL MEETING OF DELE-

.GATES.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Automobile Union was held in the Accountants' Chambers to-day. Mr. L. H. Howard (Wairarapa) presided, and the following delegates ivere present:— Messrs. F. J. White, F. C. Bunny, I. V. Wilson, and H. M. Stewart (Wairarapa), L. A. Edwards, H. Amos, C. M. Banks, A. N. Field, and A. J. Toogood (Wellington), A. B. Waldie (North Auckland), J. A. Warnock, A. Grayson (Auckland), and R. D. Maclean (Hawkes Bay). Mr. H. Wynyard (of the Main Highways' Board), 'and Mr. Bruce (chairman of the Counties Association) were also in attendance.

The annual report referred to the fact that repeated efforts had been made to form a motor association in Palmerston North, but without success. There was a possibility, however, of an association being formed in Taranaki. The executive had kept in close touch with Mr. H. Wynyard, representative on the Main Highways Board, and there seemed to be a possibility of further big advances bein? made with the programme when the* Motor Vehicles Act was passed. Beyond that an enormous amount of preliminary work seemed to have been covered by the Main Highways Board. The matter of the hotel scheme was dropped last year owing to the apathy of certain affiliated associations, and also to the extreme difficulty of securing answers from hotel proprietors as to whether they were willing to issue a reduced tariff to members of affiliated associations, but during the year the matter had been reopened and a fairly representative list of hotels was now' complete, which it was proposed to put in working order before' the commencement of the summer touring season.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that the question of railway crossings was a very mixed one, as most of the properties adjoining the crossings were privately owned. This would make it difficult to get the Department to take any steps. The chairman also referred to other matters of minor importance. The motion was seconded by Mr. A. J. Toogood.

Mr.- L. A. Edwards .referred to the fact that the secretary, in his report, foreshadowed a possible reduction in subscriptions. He thought this was a mistake, as the union should have-a surplus in order to ■ meet eventualities. He hoped that there would be a discussion on the Motor Vehicles Bill, as that was a matter of great importance to motorists. In regard to the hotel scheme, he was of opinion that, the hotelkeepers should be personally interviewed with a view to obtaining a reduction in rates for' members of. the union.

The-motion was carried. CONSIDERATION OF REMITS,

. .On the motion of Mr. I. V. Wilson the .following remit was carried: "That the Government be again approached requesting the establishment of a motor-cycle patrol branch for the purpose of better road control with particular reference to unlighted vehicles, wandering cattle, etc., and vehicles driven to the public danger." ■;-...

Mr. Stewart moved the following remit: "That an endeavour be made to bring in an amendment of the Lights on Vehicles Act, giving local bodies discretion to appoint certain well-lighted parkr ing places where motor-car owners can leave unlighted cars." This was seconded by Mr. A. J. Toogood, and carried.

The following remit was carried, on the motion of Mr. A. J. Toogood :— "That subject to the formation of a New Zealand Executive the New Zealand Automobile Union change its name to the North Island Automobile Union." ( '

"That in the matter of the annual meeting of the Union the place of meeting be changed from year to year," was a remit moved by Mr. J. A. Warnock (Auckland). This was carried.-

On behalf of the Wellington "Union, Mr. A. N. Field moved in tho direction of appointing a permanent executive officer at a salary of not less than £600 to travel over the North Island for the purpose of bringing the union before all associations throughout tho country. Tho proposal,did not meet wih general approtval, and was lost.

(Proceeding.)