CAR REFLECTORS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 January 1929, Page 3

CAR REFLECTORS

O MOTORISTS SEE “RED.” (Special to "Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, January 11. The question of red reflectors, their necessity or otherwise on motorcars, was discussed at last night’s meeting of the Executive Committee of the South Island (N.Z.) Motor Union. The Union has had correspondence with the Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department (Mr F. W. Furkert) in the matter. Considerable dissatisfaction with the present position was expressed last night. Mr Furkert wrote in reply to the Union’s letter, that scores of firms had laid in big stocks of reflectors. It was a great pity that the Motor Unions had changed their ground and asked for a cancellation of the regulation. The contrivances were manufactured in millions, in other parts of the world, and were used to a very large extent in other countries. No protest was made until nine months after the regulations came into force. There had been fatal accidents in which the. evidence showed the vehicle, rammed from behind, was invisible, and apparently carried no night or reflector. The purpose, of the regulation was to prevent acci-

dents, not to protect motorists from, prosecution. Mr J. S. Hawkes: He says we did not protest, but we protested against a number of things. Mr W. R. Carey: We were <told we were too late. Mr Hawkes: If red reflectors were . standard fittings, then cars coming out would be fitted with them. I ■ have never seen one so fitted yet. Mr P. R. Harman (Secretary): , What is the good of a reflector if there is a red tail-light? Mr Hawkes: Why does not the Government decide what reflectors should be used? Hold it over until the test case comes up in Dunedin. Mr Carey: They are a ‘wash-out’ in this country, on account of dust. Mr H. C. Harley (Ch^vman): The Department is sympathetic about dealers, but what about the poor old motorist? The dealers have rushed in and . commercialised the law. Mr Hawkes: The regulations were rushed on. to us and we did not have a chance. We made many recommendations, and they were ignored. Mr Harley: Surely, a tall light acts much better than a r.eflector? Mr Carey: One firm is making a ’ reflector, which is part of the tail . light. It was decided to hold the matter over until the result of the, Dunedjn . test c?.70 was made known.