MOTORISTS’ CONFERENCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19098, 20 August 1936, Page 8

MOTORISTS’ CONFERENCE

APPROVAL OF REMITS

ADDRESS BY MINISTER

ROAD SAFETY EFFORTS

(TVr Press Association.) CARTERTON', last niglit

The annual eonlorence of Iho Aurtli Island Motor Union opened at. Carterton to-day, Mr. W. A. (/Callaghan presiding, There was a full representation ol delegates from all centres. It, was decided to urge the Transport Department to issue licensing forms to automobile associations when the annual licensing of ears was in operation, also, in view of the sum raised in the taxation of motorists, .M.5C0.0C0. to endeavour to get, further motorist representation on the Highways Board. The conference decided to push for the licensing) and registration of pedal cycles, disappointment being expressed at I lie Minister of Transport's action in shelving the action and putting it on to local bodies.

In the afternoon, the Minister of Transport, the lion. R. Semple, gave an address on "the question of road safety, [fe said that the road speed hog, the hit-and-run delinquent and the drunken motorist would have to go. The hit-and-run motorist lie described as a. coward and a potential, if not actual, murderer. The drunken motorist had every right to get drunk, provided lie went into a. quiet spot or his bed and slept, the effects off. He certainly had no right to drive a car for. in a muddled state,' ho was a menace to the safety of the road. fr.on PENALTY PROVIDED The Minister said Parliament had increased the penally from .tin or three months’ imprisonment to a £.IOO fine and five years’ gaol. “And if 1 were a. magistrate, I would give the full penalty,” he added. “That would make the other fellows sit up and take notice and go a long way towards rubbing out this danger from the roads.” Mr. Semple mentioned the .fact that ho was drawing up regulations and rules of the road which would be sold at cost and, perhaps, distributed by motor associations.

" lie considered all highways should be under the control of the Highways Board and not coumv councils. lie advocated the policing of roads by the Highways Board and doing away with local body inspectors who, with other duties to do, did not give the job their best attention, picking upon motorists from long distances who could not attend the court to defend themselves.

lie asserted that push cycles must be registered, and said that he was having another “pop” at that matter next session, and would continue until the object was attained. Pursuing the matter of “safety first,” he advocated the systematic teaching of the public .and the children by means of moving pictures, grnmaphono records, and broadcasts from radio stations. LOSS OF 300 LIVES YEARLY.

He emphasised the fact that the loss of life was 300 per annum -and was expected t grow this year to at least 360. He was out to check this appalling loss and hoped the motor associations would help him. He was calling a conference lo discuss the matter on Friday, August HI, at which there w.onld be 500 delegates. All he could do to assist the motorist in taxation or any other way lie was prepared to do, and was willing to .meet them any timo in his office and discuss things with them.

Mr. Semple was .accorded a very hearty vote of thanks and appreciation by the conference for his invigorating address. It was decided to make strong representations to the Government for a reduction of the 4 lil of petrol tax which went to the Consolidated Fund.

The union agreed to request the Government to make traffic domes illegal on the grounds that they are a danger lo pedestrians and cycle traffic. Another remit; adopted sought; the licensing of all bicycles, with other stipulations to lie observed by cyclists to make for safety on roads. The statement made recently by Mr. ,L L. Stout, S.M., in which he favoured the left-hand rule for traffic was considered, but the conference was against making any change from the right-hand rule obtaining at present.