SAFETY GLASS

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1939, Page 5

SAFETY GLASS

FOR MOTOR CARS S.l. Union Debate [Per Press Association] NELSON, March 13. The half yearly meeting of the Soutfi Island' Motor Union was held here to-day. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr E. R. Neaie, welcomed the delegates. The Secretary, Mr. P. Harvey, said that at their recent Greymouth meeting they had wished to press for the use of shiftily glass 'in the windows and windscreens in all cars. The Union had previously decided in favour of safety glass in the windscreens only.

Dr. Gibbs (Nelson) thought that the previous idea should be revised. He was not satisfied that the Union's decision to insist on safety glass all round was a wise one. He would like to be able to get out of a car ii* it got into deep water. This was a matter that the public wanted some guidance on. He moved that the resolution recommending insistence on safety glass throughout be rescinded. Mr’ Palliser (South Canterbury) seconded the motion. Mi' B. C. Harley (Canterbury) said the was in agreement with the views expressed. Mr Hawkes (Executive) said that there was a glass which collapsed, Put did not cut. Dr. Smythe (Marlborough) said that there seemed to be some difference as to what, safety glass would really do. He (the speaker) had demonstrated, in Blenheim, that this glass could be broken and it simply splinted. A number of accidents were caused by cuts, not only by windscreens, but also by the side window's of cars. He could vouch for the fact that the safety glass did not cut.

Mr LighTband (the Chairman) said that all desired to do the right thing. He thought that the lai lei' suggestion was a good one. It was bet let to wait and see how the North Island Union viewed their previous decision.

Dr. Gibbs suggested that the amending motion should read that no action be taken pending a conference with the N.I.M.U. Mr Palliser agreed to this amendment.

Mr Main (North Otago) said that he would not like it Io be thought that they dissented from their previous opinion. If the thing was necessary, they should wail., bin urge immediate action. It. was agreed to defer the question | till the N.I.M.U. had discussed it PEDESTRIAN CROSSING. NELSON, March 13. At the South Island Motor Union’s half yearly meeting to-day, Mr Gillies (North Otago) moved that the Commissioner of Transport be urged to linalise the matter of a suitable indicator for’ pedestrian crossings as early as possible. The mover said that signs became faint. Visiting motorists could nol see them. The Chairman (Mr Lightbrand) said it rested with the Transport Department to approve of the recommendations already made and to embody them in the regulations. The remit was amended to read: “Triangular indicators',” Mr Gray-1 son suggested asking that the Department finalise representations made by the two Unions. He proposed further enlarging the remit and asking for the finalisation of the suggestions already approved by both the Motor Unions., A remit with the addition suggested by Mr Grayson was adopted. Mr Wynward, representative of the Main Highways Board, said that engineers in various districts had been instructed to confer with the Association regarding which corners should be marked with double lines, an Indication of special danger. He advised the Association Io gel in touch with the engineers. A motion for the prohibiting of dogs in motor camps was lost, but It was decided to include in the Union’s handbook a reference to dogs similar to that contained in the North Is- : land Union’s handbook.

Representations are to be made for stricter enforcement of regulations regarding the size of caravans and other conditions. The need for periscopes when rear vision was obscured was also stressed. The next quarterly meeting, will be ai Christchurch.