MOTORISTS AND PAREMATA BRIDGE

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 11, 13 July 1932, Page 6

MOTORISTS AND PAREMATA BRIDGE

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—The Automobile Association: is rather apt to imagine that it is the mouthpiece for the motorists, and co issues statements to the; public which do not truly represent the views of the motorists. All car owriere and all holders of motor-drivers' licences- do not belong to the association. Those who; do have not attended any meeting recently pr^ voted on the question of i a toll bridge at Paremata. Indeed, any statement made has only been deliberated' upon by the executive. If the Automobile Association; is in agreement with the need of the Pareinata Bridge why does it not come forward to raise the funds for it. if it opposes'-the tolls principle? There are plenty:/ of motorists who are willing to pay the,toll charge, and those who are not can'always use the present road. Nobody is going to ridicule them for doing so, but why should the Automobile Association attempt to stop those who are willing to pay toll fees, especially when they neither represent all motorists, nor have they even taken a postal vote on this question. Why does the association tolerate a private toll bridge over £he Manawatu River, which levies'a toll fee of 2s 6d per car? Is it not . obvious thatsomone is holding this matter up. It is not the County Council, nor the.Walker Estate, nor the Public Works, Department. No progress can be made until all the cards are on the table. Your subleader has struck the correct note, and one" hopes that it goes home to those who are holding the Paremata .Bridge, up.—l am 'etC- vVpROBONO^ (To the Editor.) , '■ Sir,—There is little doubt that your many readers will greatly appreciate the sub-leader in connection with the Paremata bridge, which appeared in "The Post last evening. Although personally not .a ratepayer of Plimmerton, I. have visited that seaside resort for many-years past during the summer, so that ;in common with coutless others I have followed; with considerable interest the scheme afoot; to bridge the narrow-neck at Paremata by means of a suspension bridge. It certainly^ does appear that public opinion is greatly in favour of the erection of this bridge and the only apparent opposition is that which comes, from those who hold office to safeguard the interests; of the motorist—the executive of the Automobile Chib. • ■.-■-.'... .-'■..■.■:•" :.■-■■.: .' Now, Sir, would the executive not be; showing a sporting spirit and at the isame time be making a "beau geste" to the motoring public, if they called for a poll to decide the question. At the moment; I; venture to say that the Automobile Club is merely voicing the personal opinions, of its executive and; not those of the individual members of thecjub, who surely should have some say in -the matter. Under these. circumstances it seems only; fair that the views of the motorist should be obtained by means of a poll. If the motorists vote against the bridge with a temporary toll and so condemn the work I am sure that all parties concerned would willingly accept the verdict. ~-;■ The present attitude of the Automobile. Club is certainly one which-leaves itselfl open to grave criticism and already it has; been mooted that there is a motive behind the resolution- recently passed by the club in an, endeavour vto block the scheme. In view of■: this would not the club's executive be making .■ a wise move and only protecting their, own interests if they took steps to prove to the public that they were voicing ■'; the unanimous opinion of the club members and motorists generally. Therefore, I' feel the club would strike a popular note if they saw to it that an immediate poll was taken on the subject.—l am, etc., ( A CHALLENGE. • .13th July. ■ -