MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1938, Page 8

MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS

S.I.M.U. MEETING Yesterday’s Decisions The interests of South Island m®tori ts occupied the attention of a large number of delegates at the meeting of the South Island M °t° r Union held in Greymouth yesterday. The meeting, over which Mr W. R. Carey (Canterbury) presided was attended by the following defegates Dr S. A. Gibbs (immediate past presi Hnnt) Messrs P* Furness, F. Vy* Breen S. G. McClelland dents/’ C. M. Rout, E. R. Neale (Neb son), H. S. Reid, PF. Harre (Otago), R. Wanden (Marlborough) P. A. Pearce, M. c. Fairbrother, Dr Stan ley Brown (Southland) , H. C. Harley, 1, M Wilson, G. S. Morris, r. Johnston, J..S. Hawkes <C™«Tbur£. p Wilson, W. J. Foote (South Can terbury), A. Donaldson W. Gillies, J. W. D H. Thom son (North Otago), W. F. Haney ‘(Greymouth), A. Grayson (North.lsland (N.Z.) Motoi' Union), C. J. iai bot (Highways Board), H. Chapman, H Park (Westland). An apology fo» absence was received from Mr M. H. Wynyard (motorists’ representative O n the. Main Highways Board). The Mayor of Greymouth (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) and Mr P. C. Heaphy (Chairman Greymouth A.A.) welcomed the delegates, both commenting on road improvements on the West Coast and drawing attention to the needs of the future. Mr H. C. Harley (Christchurch) as a former west Coast resident, paid_ a tribute to the work being accomplished by the Greymouth Branch, after which the President thanked Messrs Kitchingham and Heaphy for their remarks, and welcomed Messrs A. Grayson (.actingpresident) and G. Lawrence (Secretary) of the North Island Motor Union and Mr C. J. Talbot (Main Highways Board representative). After hearing a letter from the Minister of Education to the Wellington A.A. in reference to the teaching of safety first principles in the schools, the meeting decided to support the North Island Union in its endeavours to have the subject made a compulsory one in the primary schools. The North Island Union reported that information had been received that motor cycle club’s honorary patrols had reported vehicle drivers for alleged* traffic breaches. The Secretary read a letter on the same subject from the Christchurch Motor Cycle Club, stating that the patrols drew attention only to breaches and gave friendly advice to other road users. If the breach were flagrant, a report might be submitted to the traffic Department, but these reports were not sent in with a view to prosecutions. The Secretary stated lhat the chairman of the club had informed him that only three cases had been reported to the traffic department. Mr Grayson said that the matter had arisen as the result of the Minister of Transport’s warning to motor cyclists to put their house in ,order. In Auckland motor cyclists had been asked to report motor cyclists only, but the Auckland A.A. had received a letter from' a woman member strongly protesting against the manner in which she had been warned. The Christchurch Club seemed to. be acting quite properly. Mr Harre said that the Otago motor cyclists had followed the example of • the Christchurch Club. Mr Morris said that everyone had the right to report anyone for a breach of the motor laws. The general public had as much right as a motor cyclist or motor driver to report a breach. Mr Hawkes said that the motor cyclists should be complimented for their work, . i , ,»• The President agreed with Mr Hawkes, and said that the cyclists were to be commended for helping themselves. He asked all associations to watch the position in their districts, and to see that the appropriate check wa s kept if necessary. Dr. Stanley Brown remarked that he would have n 0 hesitation in reporting to the police or traffic department any motorist who deliberately committed a breach of the regulations. ■ Dr. Gibbs also complimented the cyclists in their f.ideavour to prevent accidents. The matter could quite well be left alone, and he agreed with Dr. Brown that it was the duty of all t o report deliberate breaches. Mr Breen said that the motor cyclists in Otago had done good work in improving their own position, but confined their action entirely to motor cyclists. The chairman’s suggestion was adopted and the letter received. The Union should not encourage cyclists, to report to the Transport Department, said the chairman, as the report might be a doubtful one, and in the second case a man Qiignt be instantly prosecuted.

ROAD SIGNS. The chairman said that, after the last meeting, there had been a doubt as to which of the “major road ahead” signs had been approved. The question was whether the background for “ahead” was to be black or yellow. Auckland for approval of one of the signs, and proposed to adopt it. Mr Hawkes moved that both signs be submitted to the Transport Department for approval. Mr Grayson: Courtesy signs have nothing to do with the Transport Department. '■ Mr Hawkes: In that case they are not necessary at all. The chairman said that South Canterburv had already erected some of the signs, and Otago was about to erect some of a different type. He would rule the motion out of order. Mr Rout then moved that the sign with the words "ahead” on a yellow background be approved by the Union. Mr Grayson said that Auckland wished to use the sign, and considered that the one with the yellow background wag the better. Mr Breen pointed out that the motion at the previous meeting would have to be rescinded, and said that Otago would fall into line with what was approved. Mr Johnston said that the Union was undermining the basic principle of giving way to the right. He asked if the rule was to apply on major roads, which he pointed out had not yet been defined. ’ Dr. Gibbs: Are not State Highways, major roads? I Mr Johnston: No. There is not, a major road anywhere.

Mr Reid said that Otago wished toj secure uniformity, and, on his motion, the resolution passed at the last meeting was rescinded. Mr Reid ad Mr Rout’s motion, and the motion 1 was carried unanimously. It was decided to. express appreciation of the action of the Otago A.A. in falling into fine and of that of the North Island Union also agreeing to the proposed sign. , , Permission was granted Mr . Gillies to withdraw a North Otago remit suggesting that the quarterly meetings be held in February, May, August, and November, and it was decided, on the motion of Dr. Brown, that the first and last meetings of the year be fixed by the executive to suit the convenience of associations.

SAFETY CLASS. The Otago A.A. forwarded the following remit: in consequence of the many serious injuries received in motor accidents as the result ol broken, glass, this meeting requests the Minister to formulate regulations to make the use of safety glass compulsory in all windows of cars assembled in, or imported into New Zealand after a date to be decided upon by the Minister.” Note: The Union has already expressed itself to the Transport Department as bqing in favQtir of the windscreens of motor vehicles being fitted with safety glass. Moving the adoption of the remit, Mr Reid, said that it was realised that safety glass was favoured for windscreens, but Otago felt that , all windows should be of the same type, owing to injuries done to passengers in the back s eats of cars. The cost would be £7 for small cars and £lO for large OR'CS. Mr Furness much preferred safety glass, to which the only objection seemed to be that it was not as easy to get’ out of a car which had fallen in a river when safety glass was used in the windows. • The proportion opersons who met their deaths in that manner was much lower than in the case of persons injured by broken glass. The provision of safety glass might also deter people from taking risks on gorges and other roads. Mr Johnston said that the'resolution wa s deficient, because it could not become operative for perhaps ten years. The resolution should apply t o present cars ns well as those to be purchased in the future. Mr Grayson said that the North Island Union supported the proposal to use safety glass in windscreens ° n Dr. Gibbs: I gathered at the North Island meeting that cut throats were preferred to drowning. Mr Johnston: Drowning is a much Easier way. Mr Breen pointed out that a great number nt ears already had safety glass. There was a big number of cases of injury from broken glass, but the manufacturers would not use safety glass on account of the cost. If they asked the Government to enforce it. it would mean that in a few years, all cars would be provided with Dr. Brown said that he knew of only one fatal injury from broken glass. There were a great number of minor injuries, but a greater still percentage of deaths from drowning and fire in cars. South Canterbury favoured onlj r the safety windscreen. The remit was adopted, Southland opposing, and it wa s decided to forward the decision to the North Island Union.

SUBSCRIPTION REBATES. The following - remit was moved on behalf of Canterbury fry Mr Harley: “That it be a rule that in order to definitely establish uniformity regarding subscriptions, no affiliated Association shall accept or reduce its annual subscription payable by its members to a sum less than one pound." Mr Thomson pointed out that an alteration of the rules was required, and notice of motion must be given. The chairman said that the remit did not refer to a rule, but if passed it could not become effective until it was dealt with in the proper way. Mr H. C. Harley said that uniformity was desirable both in service and in fees It was camouflage to make a subscription £1 Is and to allow a rebate of ss. At a guinea they were giving the greatest and cheapest service procurable anywhere in the country. The subscription was one of the fundamentals and there was no need to be parochial in the matter. The chairman said that the Pioneer Sports Club had some hundreds of car members, who paid £1 Is reducible b 'y 5s - • „ -x Dr. Gibbs asked then if it were possible in Christchurch pay £1 Is through the Automobile Association or 15s through the Pioneer Club. Mr Donaldson said that was so, but the Pioneer Club did not give the service that the Association did. The remit was withdrawn by Mr Harley, in favour of the following remit also moved by him: That this meeting views with favour a minumim subscription by members of affiliated Associations and Clubs, but also considers that some provision should be made to provide for a differential subscription for clubs with motor cyclist members.

Mr Donaldson seconded the new remit.

Mr McClelland said that motor cyclists should be affiliated to their own organisation and not to the Union. The matter required investigation. Any action would be a blow to the movement generally was the opinion of the chairman. Mr Hawkes considered that motor cyclists eventually became motorists. Mr Breen said that they had 300 cyclists who paid half a guinea, and were a definite acquisition to the Association. In five cases out of six they became motorists, and members of the Association. Dr. Gibbs considered the suggestion ill advised, because the matter was a domestic one. There was far too much talk of uniformity. Mr Breen said that North Otago members were getting away with 15/-, whilst on both sides of the territory the cost was £1 Is. Naturally motorists objected to paying the extra amount. With three patrol officers, Otago’s membership had increased to 5,200. Mr Gillies said that the North Otago Association was not antagonistic to the proposal. They were going along quite satisfactorily with a rebate of 6s, but that could not last. They had put on an officer who had secured 75 members in less than a month, but did not need a patrol officer owing to the smallness of their district. He agreed that the matter was a domestic one. That the Union should not interfere in matters which could be well attended to by the local Associations, was the opinion of Mr Thomson, and Mr Hawkes pointed out that Oamaru

members could get benefits outside 1 their own district which were supplied to others at more costs. The chairman’s'•suggestion that the remit be altered to suggest that the appropriate steps be taken to make the charges uniform was agreed to and the motion was carried in this form.

MAIN HIGHWAYS. Mr Talbot, gave a short resume of the activities of the Main- Highways Board, pointing out that, since 1922, they had received and expended’ about £22,000,000 on highways. Recently it had been impossible to give' greater subsidies to councils, and to 1 declare additional State highways, as 1 the Board had 12,000 miles to manage,] and the cost was £lOO per mile per year. The Board’s endeavour was to make the roads better all the time, and he felt that it was agreed that the Board was handling us work most satisfactorily. Referring to the West Coast, Mr Talbot said that it was necessary to grant high allocations to the district because of .the vast amount of work to be done, ' Some were not satisfied, but the Board was doing its best, and the work was being put on a proper basis. The Board’s field of activity was expanding each year, and they were doing considerable work in eliminating level crossings and introducing other means for greater safety on the roads. ■ He also referred to the Board’s efforts to preserve the scenery on the highways.

The chairman expressed appreciation of Mr Talbot’s presence and his address. ’ \ Mr Rout said that he knew the Board had been interested in beautification, but he wished to know if the Board would take some interest in preventing power boards from damaging the bush. Trees everywhere were being spoiled by the power boards, and the Main Highways Board could do something in preventing this destruction. ' ' . The chairman said that a very valuable part of the bush had been destroyed on the Otira Gorge Where power lines had been pbt through. Mr Talbot said that the Board was doing its best to preserve the bush and valuable trees, and did not desfrby any unnecessarily. It was a much more difficult matter to deal with the power boards.' The chairman also welcomed Mr R. T. Smith (District Engineer), who, in reply, said that his Department and the local Association worked together most harmoniously. Trees were his pet hobby, and he did not permit any to be cut down if it could be avoided.

JOINT CONFERENCE PROPOSAL.

The report of a sub-committee on the proposal to hold an annual conference with the North Island Union was received. The work of the committee would in the opinion of the chairman be more in the nature of dealing with emergincies. Dr. Gibbs said mat the Nelson Association agreed on the necessity of close co-operation with the North Island. In some matters it was necessary to speak -for the whole Dominion, a_nd for that reason he would suggest, as an alternative to the Commitjte'ejs proposals, thaK an emergency committee of three be appointed in each island to be available at any time and to act in emergency matters, and matters Of general importance. Thus the opinion of the whole df the Associations could be quickly obtained. If they were going to have the proposal as submitted by the committee, he asked what would they have to discuss, i THoIr discusssions would be limited, to. things that had happened, and they could anticipate proposals which in some cases might be objected to by Associations. Dr Gibbs moved that the executive consist of four representatives of each island, three selected on st regions basis, and the fourth to be the president for the time being of the Union. Mr H. C. Harley seconded the motion and said that it was on the right, lines. . ± . , I Mr Rout said that the committees proposals might mean a big conference which would undermine the powers of each Union. One of the sources of the strength of the South Island Union was its quarterly meetings, which made for an intense interest in all matters affecting motorists. If those powers were delegated to oth ers, no one would ultimately benefit. Some emergency body was necessary, although in the past . the executive had handled matters very well. They must avoid setting up a governing body which would be above the two unions.

Mr Grayson said that Mr Rout was rather at sea in regard to the proposal, because it was not intended to have a definite meeting. They had a similar committee many years ago. Mr Johnston agreed that an emergency committee without legislative powers was necessary to deal with urgent matters. Dr. Gibbs expressed appreciation of the work of the sub-committee, but said that their proposals would detract from the Value of the quarterly meetings in both islands. The amended proposal was carried, and a subsequent resolution moved by Mr H. C. Harley that the Committee comprise the President of the Union, and the Presidents of the Nelson, South Canterbury and Otago Associations, until the next arirtUal meeting, was adopted.

PETROL TAX. In reply to the Union’s representatives, the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage), advised that the Government had given considerable consideration to the question of motor taxation, but in face of the deffiands for derating, the necessity of maintaining a balanced budget, and the demand for greater subsidies, it was impossible to grant a reduction. A reduction of the tax would make a redaction! of the amount available to the Government for use in improving the country, and Mr Savage expressed the opinion that there would appear to be no urgent case for immediate relief, but said that when taxation was under review, the Union’s representations would be given due consideration. The chairman said that the North Island Union had decided to defer the matter until their next meeting, and it was agreed to adopt a similar course. A long discussion took place on the question of starring hotels, in the Union’s hotel list, following the receipt of proposals from Auckland. The chairman said that they were indebted to Auckland for allowing their officer to come to the South Island to do the work. ; ' . The previous decision to star the

hotels in the South Island was affirmed, and it was left to the executive to appoint the hotel committee. CAMPING SITES. The secretary reported on the views of the North Island Union regarding the proposal to make representations to the Government to erect hutments in scenic reserves, and said that the proposal did not meet with support.

Mr Hawkes said that the time had come when they should cater for people wishing to visit scenic resorts but who could not afford’to pay the hostel charges. The Government had thousands of hutments which would be suitable for the purpose. It was not the job of the associations to provide these facilities, although they were a paying proposition. Mr Morris suggested requesting the Government to erect huts on all camping sites. The chairman said that the South Island executive had endorsed the I principle, but the North Island Union I did not do so.

| Mr Grayson said that the position in the North Island was that the camps were all attended to by local authorities. In the South Island, the position was vastly different, and there was no harm in their going about the matter on their own. The chairman’s suggestion that Mr Hawkes make representations to the Government on the matter .was adopted. I In reply to the Union’s representa--1 tions regarding car conversions, the Minister of Justice (Hon. H. G. R. Mason) wrote stating that an increase in the penalty would mean that a person would apply for trial by jury. He could not see how it could be ar- | gued that the maximum penalty was (inadequate, and gave figures in relaI tion to the number of prosecutions for I the offence. He was unable to agree I that car conversions could be treated las thefts. i Mr Laurence said that the North Island Union considered that the best ! means of dealing with the matter was by publicity in the press. The Union had decided to reiterate its disappointment that the penalties had not been the deterrents it had been hoped. Mr Johnston said that the motor union s themselves were the first to ask for the conversion charge because theft charges were usually dismissed by juries. The only way to educate public opinion, and incidentally the judiciary, would be through publicity in the newspapers. The North Island Union’s action was endorsed.

* WEEK-END IN “A Godsend to the wives” was Mr Donaldson’s comment on a letter from the Commissioner of Transport, asking the Union to express its views regarding the proposal to sentence drunken drivers to week-end imprisonment. Mr Furness said that the proposal was making it too easy for the drunken driver. It was an American idea, and had been treated in rather a jocular way. It was perhaps a spectacular way of approaching the question. Drunken drivers had to pay the full penalty if safety first was to be rammed home. The proposal seemed a bit of a retreat on the part of the Minister. If the proposal was introduced the gaols would not be sufficiently large to accommodate all those who wished, to partake of the State’s hospitality at week-ends. Mr Grayson said that the proposal was discontinued as ineffective In all but two American States, and these were reconsidering it. It might have the effect of bringing men under ridicule, and making them feel their position more keenly than if they served their sentence at once. It might also affect the nervous condition, and drive men to a life of crime or drunkenness. The North Island Union had asked that no special consideration be given drunken drivers, who should be treated the same as other They had decided to oppose any alteration in the laws regarding ‘p for motorists.

The North Island Union’s decision in the matter was endorsed. The matter of subsidies from motor taxation, raised by Mr Johnston, was deferred until the next meeting at Nelson. The North Island Union’s decision not to take action in regard to distinctive colourings for inspector’s cars, was endorsed. The meeting decided to forward a message of good wishes and expression of the hope of an early recovery to the North Island President (Dr Porritt) who has been in ill-health. Mr Grayson, in reply, thanked members for their kindness, and expressed the good wishes of North Island members to their fellow-members in the South. Mr Furness extended, on behalf of members, season’s greetings to chairman. . On the motion of Dr Gibbs, a vote of appreciation to the Grey Branch for the arrangements for the meeting, and their hospitality was carried by acclamation. The meeting terminated shortly after 6.15 p.m.