STRATFORD MOTORISTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 June 1925, Page 7

STRATFORD MOTORISTS.

o ASSOCIATION FOR MED. LINKING UP WITH SOUTH TARANAKI. Stratford motorists to the numbei of about 30 met on Wednesday evening and decided to form a branch of the South Taranaki Automobile Association. Delegates from the association were present at the meeting, over which Mr. J. G. Nichol presided. Mr. P. U’Dea referred to the Motor Vehicles Act, of the full ramifications of which many people were not aware. In fact, a Magistrate was given power to say whether a man should he o n the road or not. and that power was, he thought, too drastic. In accident cases, one of the parties was usually prosecuted, and a motorist wa s dealt ‘with accordingly. It frequently happened 'that in an accident neither party was} |to blame, and therefore motorists should he well advised to have an organisation ready to look after their interests Mr. E. P. Cox stressed the fact- that since the organisation had been started great interest had been shown, and could not fail to help motorists, who should speak with a united voice to protect their own interest. Air. G’ox spoke of the enthusiasm displayed at the conference recenty held in Napier, and much good resulted from such conferences. Motor Associations tended to develop a spirit of comradeship amongst motorists which was not as general amongst motorists as it might be.

Air. L. 0. Hooker stressed the tourist possibilities. If the South Taranaki Association were associated with Stratford it- could offer one of the finest tourist trips in the North Island, viz., Hawera to Stratford and through the Tangarakau Gorge. The Secretary of the South Taranaki Association (Air. W. G. Vhtlkley) then spoke on the scheme of organisation adopted. The need for an Association would he realised when he said that they had had enquiries from Auckland regarding Taranaki, and they had no organisation in Stratford from whom they could obtain information regarding the Tangarakau Gorge, Therefore, the Progress League had been communicated with, and had agreed to supply the necessary data. Mr Grump (Eltham.) said motor traffic was becoming so general that it had to come under more restricted regulations, and cognisance of it had to be taken in the social and business life of the community. It was very necessary that motorists be organised. In regard to tourist traffic he thought Taranaki was a motorists’ paradise, and as a result, motor traffic from Auckland had grown to an almost unbelievable extent during the last few years, particularly to the Mountain House at Dawson Falls. That had been largely day traffic, people taking in various places on their trips. A stong motorists’ association covering a large area and a strong finance could do much towards the development of tourist resorts and aiso in the direction of assisting visiting mo tori sts.

Air. W. Power outlined what had been done at a previous meeting when delegates from the Taranaki Association at New Plymouth Iliad visited Stratford. Had they put ,as much sting into their organisation as had the southern people the matter would have been brought to finality long ago. He considered they were not bound in any way to the Northern Association, of which lie had lately bee n unable to see much evidence. He regretted the fact that there were two associations in the one province, and said the time miist come when one must go. It would mean the survival of the fittest, and it certainly looked as though that would be the southern body. He sincerely hoped that there would be a fusion of the two bodies. It was a great pity that at the outset an attempt had not been made to bring all Taranaki motorists together in one body. As far a s Stratford was concerned there was no organisation in town, but one was necessary. Air. S. AYai'cl said they were likely to be there all night discussing North and South. He moved that an Automobile Association he formed in Stratford. He would like to know whether the funds of the association were pooled or were expended in the localities where they were obtained. . Air. Walkley replied stating that the funds were used generally, because, in order to do any good, money had to he spent in the out-districts. For instance, more money had been expended between Hawera and Waverley than had been obtained from that locality. Ho also gave details of an endeavour to bring about an amalgamation between the northern and southern bodies. • After some further discussion. Air. Ward moved: “That a branch of the South Taranaki Automobile Association. be formed in Strafford, and that Stratford motorists present at this meeting become members.” Mr. R. H. White seconded, and said they should join up with a live body such as the South Taranaki Association .

Air. Power asked about the attitude of the South Taranaki Association in regard to the united body for Taranaki. Air. O’Cnllaghan said lie did not think the matter of two associations mattered a great deal, as all were affiliated with the one body. There were several associations in the AYellington province. Air. Nichol said lie had given the matter under discussion a great deal of thought. He was of opinion that the aim of Stratford motorists was to link up with a body that showed the best results. He thought the feeling would disappear very soon, and there was no need for Stratford to be a buffer state between North and South. The motion was then carried.