A MOTORING CAUSERIE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18891, 13 December 1924, Page 12 (Supplement)

A MOTORING CAUSERIE.

BY ODB BBITISH COHEESrONDENX. PaTls Traffic Chaos, The more the city authorities "regulate" the traffic, the worse becomes the congestion in Paris. At first thought, Draconian methods rigidly enforced should loosen tho tangle. Actually a contrary result has been achieved. The sheepdogs have hustled the flock into a state cf confusion, and the most logical plan would appear to be to give it time to regain equanimity. Instead, the Permanent Traffic Committee is proposing to gazette many more cne way traffic streets. It is questionable whether the nett result of directional restrictions is a gain. Vehicles in a city with one way traffic routes are compelled to .travel many more useless miles than those in a citv whero no such rule applies. The steps being taken in Paris both In this direction and also as regards increasing the open-air parking facilities are being watched with interest by the authorities of other great European cities. So far the results do not compare favourably with old-fashioned London which relies more on effective traffic police and an absence of artificial rules. Traffic blocks, it is true, are common in London, but the vehicle density at certain hours of the day is unique— as in the number of public sorvico vehiclos.

Motors and Politics. It is little less than a year since the last general election in England, and bore wo are—as I write—in the throes of another. Last year, a Government, pledged to free trade, was returned and duly the motor import duties imposed under tho post-war emergency legislation were abolished. Now, according to the returns coming in, a conservative Government will be in the saddle and there is much speculation whether— industry protection being one of their main election planks—the motor tariff will be reinstated. . ;. The question is not entirely domestic, concerning as it does tho many visitors who come, annually from overseas to purchase cars for use during their holiday and ultimate export to their homes. Often the visitor decides on pnrchacirg an American car in lingland, knowing its suitability for overseas service. If "the duties are reimposed, these ca:s will cost more aac. the visitor Tvill nay this addition.

Dazzle. A friend of mine, Mr. E. H. Fiver, the- depntv-secretary of the A. A. has aeraoiistrated to the press the advantage of a method of his own devising for avoiding dazzle. The scheme involves no Highly 1 ' scientific apparatus, and is within the reach of the slenderest purse. Moreover, it is. as I have found out, most effective. Here it is:—Affix to the near head-lamp bracket a good electric • side-lamp and adjust this with a rake downwards and towards the near side. Make it in fact, shine its light on to the road margin at a point some) 20 to 30 yards ahead. Fit with a two-way switch 01 the steering wheel, so' that,, at will, the head lamps may be turned, off and* this "pilot" light on. So equipped the motorist may cheerfully put off his head lamps when meeting other traffic in the sure knowledge that the pilot lamp will illuminate enough of the Toad for all practical purposes. The plan has the further advantage of providing an ideal light for fog.