MOTORISTS' TROUBLES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 119, 22 May 1931, Page 11

MOTORISTS' TROUBLES

VARYING SPEED KltyES

UNIFORMITY SOUGHT

A conference of motorists' representatives from all parts of New Zealand was held at the Automobile Club's rooms'to-day. Mr. O'Callaghan (SoYith Taranaki) presided, and there wero also present Messrs. A. Grayson (Auckland), M. H. Wynyaru (Highways Board representative), J. H. Edmundton (Hawke's Bay), G. W. White (Auckland), B. W. Boydhouse (Wairarapa), F. J. Hill (Wanganui), V. Duff (Taranaki),. D. Gibbs (Nelson), L. A. Edwards (Wellington), W. H. Mackie (Manawatu), J. E. Haig (Invereargill), F. W. Johnston (Canterbury), and. W. G. Walkloy (secrotary).

I Dealing with local body speed limits, Sir. A. Grayson gave instances of discrepancies in local speeds. Motorists had to bo familiar with all the local body bylaws if they wished.to avoid trouble. , They had been told that the motor regulations would supersede the local bylaws,, but this had not proved to be so, and local bodies still seemed able to obtain convictions. In Hauraki County one passed under a 35-mile rule, then a 20-milo restriction, and then the notice was shown, "Local restriction ceases," but that did not apply to the 35-mile restriction, which was general throughout the county. Visitors. were frequently being penalised -on long, stretches of open road. Tho motor regulation? alone should govern' the whole country. Mr. Johnston thought that politics were'responsible for the lack of enforcement of the general motor regulations. A fixed -speed throughout a county might not be workable, as the safety clement was altered by conngurations arid other' considerations. "Driving to'the common danger" with a fixed maximum,' might solve the question. •■■■.!'■: 'It was decided to wait on the Minister to ask that the Motor Vehicles Act be amended so that it should be the only.Act under which, local bodies could make bylaws^ • COST? AGAINST CROWN. 1 It was decided to approach the. Goyr eminent to have the law amended in the . direction of altering the present practice (which has become law) under which costs arp not awarded against the Grown to successful defendants or appellants in traffic prosecutions. The suggestion was made by the North Island Motor Union that charges for car freights across Cook Strait be assessed on wheel-base instead of by cubic measurement, and also that charges generally bo Tcduced. It was stated that one of the arguments adduced against reductions was that freights across the Strait were cheaper than those across the, English Channel) IJut' cross-Channel freights had been lowered. The now ferry-boat that was coming out \vas specially constructed to carry. cars, and this. might result' in fewer claims for minor : damages. A. deputation to; the : Union Steam Ship Company was arranged: It was resolved to urge the Government to make it compulsory for all bicycles to have the rear mudguard or rear stays painted white and maintained in a condition clearly visible at night; The conference considered that red reflectors were inefficient,^/: .. .-. , It was decided to seek legislation prohibiting the use of glaring headlights on stationary vehicles. ■ _ ■ The suggestion was made. that..-, in order to overcome the difficulty -of securing increased penalties for theft or conversion of motor vehicles, Mag_is; trates be given sole power to deal with all such cases. It was pointed out that trial by'jury would lead to fewer convictions, but that if tho Magistrate had fuller powers as regarded penalties, the owners would be better served. The matter is to be referred by deputation to the Minister".' ',''"''■<■■: The adoption of a universal signal of disability by blind persons and others suffering severe disabilities was approved. The North Island Motor Unon's signal "is extending the right arm above tho head. j MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD. j Tho need for further representation on., the .Main, Highways,: Board/ was stressed by-Mr. F.W. Johnston. Motorists provided the whole of the funds j of the Main Highways Board, except) what was contributed by local bodies. As to direct taxation, motorists bore i the whole burden. The Government j had turned their request down. In the South Island political action was contemplated to'achieve the result desired, and a campaign was even contemplated against the return of any candidate refusing to pledge himself to urge further motorists' representation on the1 board. They could not tell whether: the promises made by Sir Joseph Ward would be kept by the Government of ,the Day. " ■] Mr. Grayson agreed that there should be a South' Island representative, and urged that all secretaries of motor unions in both Islands write to the Prime Minister urging further representation on tho board, without asking for the representation of any particular district. It was decided to follow out Mr. Grayson'a suggestion, and also to again seek further representation from the Prime Minister.