MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23529, 18 June 1938, Page 12

MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS

SOUTH ISLAND UNION QUARTERLY MEETING The quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union was held in the Phoenix pavilion, Oarnaru, yesterday. Dr Gibbs (Nelson) occupied the chair, and there were present delegates from all the South Island . Associations as follows: —Messrs W. Gillies, J. H. Main, C Don, D. H. Thomson (North Otago); E. R. Neale, C. M. Rout (Nelscm); W. j" Foote. J. Palliser. M. B. Richards, S’. G. McClelland, M. Fairbrother (South Canterbury); N. J. Dolamore, D. J Wesney (Southland); P. H. Harre, H. S. Reid. H. H. Henderson J. L. Passmore (Otago); J. W. Petrie (Marlborough); executive members—Messrs C. S, Morris. J. S, Hawkes. B. Falck, H. C. Harley (Canterbury) R. Wilson (South Canterbury), Dr Stanley Brown (Southland). Mr J. W. Petrie (North Otago), and P. Harvey (secretary). Messrs G. Lawrence and A. Grayson (North Island Motor Union); Mr■ C. J Talbot (Highways Board); and Mr O. Zehnder (Western Australia). The Mayor of Oamaru (Mr K. Familton) gave the delegates a very warm welcome, and said that the North and South Island Unions had much to be thankful for in the fine type of men guiding them. In these troublous days they wanted a good type of man to govern them, and motorists were indebted to them for their work. The Government heeded what they said, and anything they asked for they had paid for, and he held the view that motorists were exceedingly well served. Touching on the agenda paper Mr Familton referred to the recommendation of the executive approving of the issue of drivers’ licences b.v the postal authorities, pointing out that its removal from the local authority was not in the interests of motorists, as the local authority officer had a knowledge of the applicants, and this helped in the matter of public safety. It would also lead to a loss of revenue to local authorities. The people of Oamaru were grateful to the North Otago Association for what they had done. The association had given or promised to give almost £IOOO bacK to the people. • Mr W Gillies extended a welcome on behalf of the local association. The chairman made a suitable acknowledgment of the welcome, end In turn gave a welcome to the delegates, and to the visitors. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mr W. R, Carey (Canterbury) in his ill-health following on his recent accident, REMITS

Mr D. H. Thomson, on behalf of North Otago, moved a remit relative the absolute right-of-way, “That the Government be approached suggesting an amendment to the existing law to make It definite that all vehicles except trams, approaching on the right, have the absolute right-of-way irrespective of who had the last opportunity of avoiding a possible collision; trams to have the absolute right-of-way from any direction.” Mr Thomson quoted various arguments in favour of the remit, which was seconded by Mr Gillies. The remit was opposed by delegates from Southland, Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, South Canterbury and Otago, and on being put to the meeting was lost. It was considered by some delegates that eventually traffic on main roads would receive precedence over that of side roads. A remit submitted by Otago in reference to apportionment of subscriptions of members on transfer, being in conflict with a resolution passed in 1935. and being still on the books, could not be proceeded with until the resolution was rescinded. On the motion of the chairman this was done unanimously, and Mr Reid, on behalf of Otago, moved that in accordance with the practice adopted by the North Island Motor Union, where a member is transferred from one association to another, this union agrees that no apportionment of subscription for the current year be paid to the association to which the member is transferred.— After a brief discussion the remit was carried without opposition. Mr Henderson (Otago) moved that as it was universally recognised that red was the danger signal, the regulation be amended so that red should be used to denote all projections on the rear of vehicles, both at night and day. —This was seconded by Mr Hawkes, and after a fairly lengthy discussion it was amended, on the suggestion of Mr Wilson, to follow the United States regulation:—“ Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load at night a red light or lantern, plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear. The red light or lantern shall be in addition to the red rear light, required upon every vehicle. At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme end of such load a red flag or cloth not less than 16 inches square. —ln its amended form the remit was carr ed unanimously. An Otago remit relative to reflector or light to mark extreme width of load extending more than the ordinary width, at the front and rear, was withdrawn, in view of the matter being already dealt with. The meeting then considered a letter from the commissioner of transport dealing with the removal of the issue of drivers’ licences from local authorities to the post offices. A recommendation came forward from the executive that the union approves of the issue of drivers’ licences by the postal authorities. . ' . „ , The chairman said that with the loss of this revenue, ratepayers and motorists would have to pay increased rates j It was only another form of increased taxation oh motorists. He felt it was a distinct hardship on motorists, and the proposed change would not be as convenient as at present. Mr Hawkes said there had been 311 accidents with drivers without licences and that was a very serious aspect of the matter. The idea was that everyone registering a car vould get his licence when he obtained his number plates. Drivers without licences were fined ridiculous amounts, such as 5s and costs, by magistrates, and unless the question was dealt with they were going to have an increase in the number of people driving without licences. Mr Morris said in his borough there were 100 cars and 300 drivers’ licences, so that did away with Mr Hawkes’s

argument. It was almost a steal from the small boroughs. Mr Talbot supported Mr Hawkes, saying the Minister and the Safety Council 'were greatly concerned about the matter. The test had to be passed. Licence fees had gone to local authorities, and in many cases local authorities had not contributed one penny towards traffic control. Now .that the Highways Board had taken over control of the main highways, and this was a form of revenue, and it wornd mean an increase in the number of traffic inspectors, and inspectors made for safety This was needed with the increased traffic. , Mr Talbot was supported by Mr Grayson and South Canterbury delegates on the point of view of safety first. . , .. Mr Sutherland supported the recommendation, stating that it would mean a tightening up of the test for drivers, and on the issue of licences and the enforcement of traffic regulations Mr Wesney said the motorists owed a good deal to the Minister of Transport and the Safety Council for their work, and any suggestion from them should be supported. The recommendation of the executive was approved with only one or two dissentients. A letter was received from the Minister of Transport stating that a day of grace would be allowed after May 31 for affixing number plates. Mr Rout said the Minister had been generous, and he moved-" That the union was opposed to a day of grace after May 31, but that the Minister be asked to allow two days of grace before May 31 for affixing plates." The motion was carried unanimously. A suggestion was brought forward by the Otago Automobile Association that representations be made to have intoxicated drivers dealt with by stipendiary > magistrates only. A motion to this effect was carried unanimously. The meeting considered the matter of the possibility of the Government granting a monopoly for the manufacture of tyres m N»w Zealand. Mr Grayson referred to the improvement in the manufacture of tyres in recent years and the increased speed at which motorists travelled, making it necessary for motorists to be able to choose the tyres most suitable to their needs. So long as the Government left them free to import tyres without increased duties and without restrictions, then it would be all right. A motion to cooperate with the North Island Motor Union on the lines suggested by Mr Grayson was carried. There was some discussion on the question of the uniformity of colour for windscreen badges annually and with a view to obtaining uniformity in all South Island associations and also with the North Island Union, the matter was referred to the annual meeting.

Mr Talbot addressed the meeting on highway matters and referred to the valued services given by Mr Hawkes on the Safety Council. The Highways Board was bringing up the State high-

ways to a high standard all over the Dominion in the interests of motorists and safety. He dealt with the elimination of railway crossings, and said any work done was of a national and lasting character, atid they hoped the work now being done would be of a lasting nature. Speaking of the safety on roads, Mr Talbot said the number of cars in New Zealand had increased by 30 per cent, during the last 19 months, but there had been no increase in the number of accidents. Though doing work on the State highways, the board was not neglecting other highways and was endeavouring to meet local bodies in this matter. Among other matters that were being considered by the board were the lighting of the highways and the construction of footpaths for cyclists where traffic was sufficiently heavy. They were also encouraging tree planting to beautify the roads There had been comment that they were building speedways, but with education and the work of the Safety Council accidents were not occurring on good roads, but on bad roads. Mr Talbot enumerated the works being carried out at present, stating that the sealing of the Christchurch-Dunedin highway was nearly completed. He gave credit to the local authorities for work being done in painting, and bridges and numerous safety factors were being attended to. Mr Talbot mentioned that for a car travelling 50 miles daily the running costs had been reduced by £SO in a year through tar sealed roads. Mr Talbot was thanked for his address.