MOTORISTS' HELP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15685, 12 August 1914, Page 9

MOTORISTS' HELP.

OFFER TO AUTHORITIES.

LORRY OR AMBULANCE.

SUBSTANTIAL SUBSCRIPTIONS.

A well-attended meeting of the Auckland Automobile Association was held at Tho Tiffin last night to consider urgent matters in connection with defence during tho present crisis. Mr. Neville Newcomb, president of the association, occupied the chair. Proceedings opened with the singing of tho National Anthem.

Mr. Newcomb said the meeting had been called togother as the outcome of the deliberations of the executive to see what could be done by the members towards shouldering responsibility, in the defence of the Empire. (Hear, hear.) The executive hsd formed a defence-committee and had done good work. The officer commanding the Auckland district had stated that had it not been for the assistance rendored by Auckland motorists he could never have got the first contingent oi troops away at the appointed time. The executive bad considered the question oi whether it should ask the members to give a motor-lorry, or lorries, or a motorambulance to the Government, and yesterday a telegram was sent to the military authorities asking them to advise the association what it should do. Tho authorities were unanimous in advising, that a motor-lorry, or lorries, bo presented. Word had just come to hand from Wellington that a number of motor-lorries were noedea by the Defence Department, Mr. Newcomb mentioned that the Wellington Motor Union had i informed the Aucklana Association that the Hawke's Bay Association was donating a car and driver to the authorities, and it wanted to know what tho Auckland Association would do. Mr. Newcomb moved: "That the Aucklano Automobile Association offer to present a motor-ambulance, or motor-lorry, as the authorities may decide upon, to the New Zealand Government, for use by the expeditionary force or for such other purpose as the Defence Department may think fit; and that members be asked to subscribe to this object." Before a vehicle was decided upon, Mr. Newcomb said, the executive would take tho military authorities into its confidence.

Mr. Charles Rhodes seconded the motion.

Mr. P. N. Kingswell thought tho association should present a motor-ambu-lance.

Mr. Rhodes expressed a doubt as to whether an ambulance should bo given or not. The authorities, it seemed, desired a motor-lorry, and for this reason he thought the association should present such a yehiclo. A motor-lorry would be more suitable than an ambulance.

The president pointed out that the motion left the responsibility in the hands of tho Defonce authorities to say what type of motor vohiclo they required.

Mr. George Henning pointed out that a motor-lorry could be converted into an ambulance very quickly, if necessary.

Tho chairman mentioned that a certain firm had generously offered to supply a motor-lorry at a reduced prico. He thought that if the association aimed at subscribing a sum of £750 it would be acting on tho safe side.

After further discussion, the motion was carried.

Mr. Newcomb then said that the executive had thought it would bo a good plan if cards were handed to the members, asking thorn to subscribe towards uio cost of the motor vehicle.

Subscriptions wero asked for in the room, and the president afterwards announced that those present had promised £250. Mr. Newcomb said that a great many of the members of the association were not present at the meeting; therefore, no difficulty should be experienced in doubling or even trebling the sum. Tho executive would suggest to the military authorities that a motor-ambulance be purchased, but the matter would be left to the authorities' discretion.

The meeting decided to leave further details in the hands of the executive.

NEED FOR COOPERATION.

DANGER OF OVERLAPPING.

"There is great risk of overlapping through misdirected enthusiasm," said the Mayor last night to a Herald representative. " For instance, I notice that Devonport, although all the other suburbs are joining with the city for a big street collection on Thursday, has decided to collect for an independent fund to-day. It is stated that the object of the Devojport fund is to provide comforts for the 400 men at the fort. Now the Central Citizens' Committee has already visited tho fort, and is providing somo hundred pairs of boots, jerseys, etc., for the garrison. It is obvious that assistance can be much more effectively given by one central organisation than by half-a-dozen different bodies— our action in this matter. I suggest that Dovonport fall into lino •with all tho other suburbs, and if it intends to start a fund to-day, the proceeds should certainly be over to tho Greater Auckland fund, now accumulating, and should be used to aid the Government and to relievo the distress and loss which are sure to occur both in the city and suburbs as a result of the war.

It is a pity, I think," added Mr. Parr, " that one suburb should stand out in this way."