MOTORISTS’ PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21989, 26 June 1933, Page 2

MOTORISTS’ PARLIAMENT

SOUTH ISLAND UNION QUARTERLY MEETING The quarterly meeting of delegates to the-South Island Motor Union was held in the Otago Motor Club’s rooms on Saturday night, the president (Mr F. W. Johnston) in the chair. The following delegates answered the roll call: — Messrs F. W. Johnston, F. J. Williams, W. R. Carey, and J. S. Hawkes (executive), T. R. Harman (secretary). Canterbury Automobile Association— Messrs J. Mason, B. Falck, F. W. Freeman, C. G. Curtis. South Canterbury Automobile Association; Mr J. Palliser. Waimate Association: Mr W. Geddes. North Otago Association—Messrs H. J. Jenkjns, J. H. Main, and I. Dalmer. Nelson Association, Mr H. C. Harley. Southland Association—Messrs D. J. Wesney, J. R. Haigh, and Dr S. Brown. Otago Motor Club —Messrs P. W. Breen, J. L. Passmore, E. W. G. H. Watts, and E. J. Anderson. The Marlborough Automobile Association was represented by Mr M. G. S. Kirby. Prior to the commencement of the business the president of the Otago Club (Mr P. W.. Breen) extended a cordial welcome to the visitors, Mr Johnston replying on behalf of the delegates. LOITERING ON TRAFFIC BRIDGES. The secretary of the South Canterbury Automobile Association wrote drawing attention to the danger of pedestrians loitering on traffic bridges, and of motor cars bearing only one headlight, and asked the union to consider the possibility of having legislation framed to prevent such practices." The president said that in Ashburton a by-law had been passed which made it illegal for pedestrians to loiter on traffic bridges.

It was decided to collaborate with the North Island Union in making representations to the Government to have legislation brought down making loitering on traffic bridges illegal, and to have the law covering vehicles with only one headlight more strictly enforced.

THIRD PARTY RISK. A letter was received from Mr A. E. Ansel I, M.P., stating that his representations to the Government on the question of amendment to the Third Party Risks Act had not been very favourably received, as it was considered that such a course would contravene a principle of law. He understood, however, that the matter was under consideration, and that the Crown law draughtsman was more sympathetic to the suggested alteration than formerly. After a discussion in committee, Mr Anderson moved—“ That the matter of amendment of the Third Party Risks Act be pressed, and given special attention by the executive of the union.” Mr Williams (Dunedin) seconded the motion, which.was carried. ■"

UNLAWFUL CONVERSION OF CARS. A further letter was received from Mr Ansell, who, commenting on representations made to him by the union regarding penalties v for the illegal conversion of motor vehicles, pointed out that the matter could not be dealt with in a Bill such as the one dealing with traffic offences. ■ This matter was also dealt with in committee, and it was decided to urge the Government that severer penalties be inflicted on offenders convicted of unlawfully converting motor vehicles to their own use. A MISLEADING TITLE.

On behalf of the executive Mr Carey (Christchurch) moved-—“ That this meeting disapproves of an automobile association or club, riot being a governing body, assuming a name that, would tend to indicate that it is a governing body.” Mr Carey said that the executive considered this to be an improper procedure; Mr Haigh (Southland) seconded the motion. '

The chairman said that the executive objected to the Auckland". Association terming itself “ The Automobile Association” and giving the impressioik that it was the governing body of motoring m the Dominion. As a counter to this a body of Christchurch motorists had formed an organisation which they had registered under the name of “ The Now Zealand Automobile Association,” and he suggestrid that the Otago and Southland associations should submit the names of members to form a council Mr E. J. Anderson said he thought the executive should go further aud investigate Auckland’s right to register a name that had nothing distinctive about it and incorporated a common adjective and a common noun in use for the majority of motoring organisations throughout the Dominion. The motion was carried. After the matter had been farther considered in committee it was decided to endorse the executive’s action in supporting the new association, aud Messrs Breen (Otago), Palliser (South Canterbury), Wesney (Southland), Jenkins (North Otago), Furness and Dr Gibb (Nelson) were nominated as members of the council. HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT.

The chairman brought up the question of making it compulsory for all headlights of motor vehicles to be fitted with deflectors and said he thought that the motorist who went out with plain glass and reflector in his headlamps so that there was neither deflection nor diffusion of light should be “ shot at dawn.”

Mr Anderson thought it more important that the candle-power of glaring headlights should be cut down by half. Mr Hawkes said that if every motorist was compelled to use a visor on his windshield the problem would be solved. It was decided to request the police to enforce more strictly the regulations covering headlights, and to advise associations to ask their members to have their headlights put in order. USE OF MOTOR CAMPS. Dr Brown (Invercargill) moved the following remit from the Southland Association—“ That the question of occupancy of camp grounds under the control of associations lay people other than bona fide tourists be considered with a view to forming a definite rule throughout the South Island for such camps.” Dr Brown said he thought that all motorists would agree that the privileges attaching to motor camps were frequently abused, and instances were known where campers occupying the sites were using them Cor the purpose of conducting their business.' His association considered that some rule should be framed which would define what constituted a bona fide tourist and who were eligible to use motor camps. The remit was referred to the executive. ■ . A .Marlborough remit, “ That the union take steps to endeavour to have all as-

sociations under its jurisdiction agree that at all motor camps owned or controlled by automobile associations (a) non-members be not permitted to use said camps, or in the alternative, (b) that non-members using said camps be charged double the camp fees as charged to members of automobile associations affiliated to either the South Island or the North Island Motor Union,” was also referred to the executive. SUPPLY OF ROAD MAPS. On behalf of the Southland Association, Mr Wesney (Invercargill) submitted the following remit —“ That the executive obtain prices tor the supply of a South Island road map and that affiliated clubs be advised of the cost.” Mr Falck (Canterbury) seconded the remit, which, after being considered at length in committee, was carried. At the conclusion of the business the president, on behalf of the delegates, thanked the Otago Motor Club for the use of its rooms, and for the hospitality extended to the visitors. He also referred to the fact that the club would this year celebrate its twenty-first anniversary, and on bis motion three cheers wore given for the club. DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. Yesterday the visitors were the guests of the Otago Motor Club on a drive around the Peninsula, and were later entertained at Larnach Castle by Mr J. Jackson Pimlie.