SUPPORT DECLINED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 2

SUPPORT DECLINED

DIFFERENT TREATMENT LIGHTING RESTRICTION INVERCARGILL MOTORISTS (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The South Island Motor Union refused at a meeting last night to support a request from the Automobile Association (Southland) that Invercargill should be given preferential treatment in the application of head-light-restrictions. Members contended that the problem was domestic and that Southland motorists, had they been represented at the original conference at which the restrictions were discussed, would have realised that the restrictions were not as serious as those at first proposed. A letter from the Automobile Association (Southland) to the union said: “(1) As Invercargill is six miles from the sea, and is not visible from the sea, the association considers that the regulations requiring one headlight only are unnecessary in this locality. “(2) The use of one dipped headlight only creates an increased danger to traffic, particularly to cyclists and pedestrians, which is unwarranted in dew of Invercargill not being visible from the sea. “(3) If motorists were required to use both headlights dipped, this would definitely eliminate sky glow from headlights without endangering traffic. “(4) We ask that Invercargill be excluded from the headlight restricted area and, if necessary, provision be made by regulation for driving with botli headlights dipped." Treated Generously The chairman, Mr. W. R. Carey, said he knew the position as it affected the army and navy and he thought motorists had been treated generously. Mr. J. S. Hawkes: After all it is an emergency precaution and why should we worry about such details? We must do our part. Mr. P. W. Breen: We must remember that they are a good deal worse off in Russia, say. than we are. We should not complain. In any case, added Mr. Breen, the assistant light controller had been in Southland. and any complaints could have been considered then. Mr. Carey: Well, will someone move that we consider that this the Southland problem appears to be domestic and that we have no jurisdiction? Members agreed unanimously with that attitude, it being also agreed to point out to the Southland Association that had the association been represented at the original conference at which the restrictions had been discussed, it would have been obviouc that motorists could have been a “good deal worse off.”