FOR GREATER SAFETY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11307, 5 September 1922, Page 7

FOR GREATER SAFETY

N.Z. AUTOMOBILE UNION A rORYTABT) MOVE IS BEING INAUGURATED. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS. The annual report of tlie Now Zealand Automobile Union, which will bo tablod at tlie nintU annual general meeting -of that body this week, states that t.u* union lias a credit balance of .£69 Os Co The Nelson Automobilo Association have intimated their intention of resigning from the union at the end of the financial year, hnv'n" decided to join up with the ‘South Island Union. It is considered probable that the Marlborough Association will act in a similar manner. PROBLEM OF REVENUE. The executive had been faced with the fact that the revenue had been msmficiont and the affiliated associations had agreed to increase the subscriptions in proportion to membership. The incoming executive would be faced with a decreased! income and it would be necessary either to get new associations formed in the principal North Island towns and to affiliate with the union or to curtail the activities of the union and reduce the expenses. The executive had made efforts to form branches at Palmerston North and in Taranaki, hut so far without definite success. It was understood that in the South Island a complete chain of motor associations hod been completed. PETROL AND LIGHTING. During the year an amendment to the Explosives Act was introduced by Government, whereby the minimum quantity of petrol permitted to ho stored, except by license, was SJ gallons. Previous to the regulations being introduced the Deputy Chief Inspector of Explosives had attended a meeting of the anion and the various points involved were very fully discussed, and among other suggestions a minimum of 16 gallons storage without license was’ strongly urged by the executive. . , The executive deemed it desirable that all motor signs throughout the Dominion should be uniform m character, and, with this object in view, it wfis decided to send a set of drawings and specifications of official signs to all associations. A further effort had been made to have all vehicles adequately lighted by requesting the Government to have the law amended to make it compnlsory for ail vehicles and cycles to carry taillights and an additional light on goods projecting more than three feet with a white rag or sign on the end in the daytimo. • A DANGEROUS PRACTICE. Complaints having been received regarding the danger arising from excessive projection of goods and luggage on motor-oafs', particularly on narrow roads, affiliated associations wore recommended to apply to local authorities asking for. an amendment to their by-laws to suit the conditions iu their respective localities. It was decided that this course was preferable to applying to the Government to alter the' clause in the Police Offences Act. Legal opinion was obtained in reference to the Act and a copy was sent to all associations. All associations had-been recommended to apply to their respective local authorities asking that a ny-law bo; introduced compelling slow travelling' vehicles to travel close to the left-hand side of the road. ' ■ The Hon. the Minister for Internal Affairs had been requested to incorporate in the proposed Motor Vehicles Bui _ a clause requiring ail trade motor lorries and vans to carry mirrors. It might bo mentioned that at least one association had successfully secured a local bylaw to this effect. "A FORWARD MOVE." .At the invitation of the Hon. the Minister for Public Works a conference of representatives of the union, • the Good Roads Association, local bodies arid the South Island Union had, been held In Wellington with a view to discussing the proposals that are to govern the construction and maintenance of main roads throughout tbc Dominion, Although no definite proposals were adopted, the executive felt that a forward movement had been made and that good results would occur, from the discussion arid exchange of views. . It was understood that a new bill was in course of preparation, in which, no doubt, many of the conference suggestions would be incorporated. The Minister had agreed to submit a draft of the amended bill fqr consideration by the union before introducing it to the House of - Representatives. It was pro/bable that an amended bill would be brought down during the present season, and the executive had been given to understand that an opportunity to discuss the bill would be given tp the union executive. WIRELESS TELEPHONES. The Poetmasterr-General had been requested to abolish restrictions on the use of wireless telephones in order that motor-car ownpns might be at liberty to instal a receiving end transmitting set. The Postmaster m reply had stated that permits for the use of receiving apparatus were In existence’ and the use of Other appliances would be considered when the new wireless regulations were being drawn up. NOTICE OF MOTION. The Wellington Automobile Club has given notice of motion as follows: ' "That; rule 10 be altered to read iihat after the word president the words presidents’ be added." A reriiit from the Wellington Automobile Club’reads as follows! —"That the Government be requested to fix a maximum of weight, length and width of motor vehicles." These will be considered after routine business at the meeting.