MOTOR UNION

Southland Times, Issue 20045, 6 December 1926, Page 8

MOTOR UNION

MEETING IN OAMARU IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED THE ROAD SPEEDING MENACE (Per United Press Association.) Oamaru, December 4. The quarterly meeting of the delegates of the South Island Motor Union was held here to-day, Mr A. E. Ansell being chairman. A letter was received from the Taranaki Automobile Association asking to be included in the South Island Unions’ motor insurance scheme. It was decided to reply that the rules did not provide for the ucceptancc of other than the associations affiliated to the South Island Union. The chairman said the executive bad decided to get proposals from the various associations to suggest methods of minimising accidents. In compliance with this the Otago Motor Club had forwarded the following recommendations: (1) That the importation of left hand drive motor vehicles be prohibited; (2) that all motor vehicles be compelled to have a mirror affixed in such a position that it will show traffic approaching from the rear; (3) that it be made compulsory for all motor car owners to have a third party insurance cover; (4) that motor drivers’ licenses be standardised, and that tests by duly qualified inspectors be carried out; (5) that it Ixs compulsory for all motor vehicles, with the exception of motor cycles, to have efficient windscreen wipers affixed; (61 that governing bodies such as borough councils be asked to make their by-laws uniform as far as possible throughout the Dominion; (7) that motor mechanics should sit for an examination before being licensed; (8) that items of garage accounts should be signed by the mechanics who did the work; (9) that motor inspectors periodically inspect all motor cars, especially as to the efficiency of brakes and steering gear; (10) that steps be taken to keen slow moving vehicles as much to their side of the road as possible; (11) that lights on stationary cars be eliminated; (12) that all town and city councils see that pedestrians keep to the footpaths in busy streets, except at intersect is; (13) that street crossings for pedestrians be defined by lines of different colour to motor traffic; (14) that street parking places- be lined out, allotting a space for each car; (15) that all motor buses and lorries be open on the driver’s right, or that sound catching devices be attached; (16) that al) cyclists should have ruby reflectors; (17) that it be illegal for insurance companies to give a cover of more than two thirds of the value of a motor vehicle.

It was resolved to forward the suggestions to the executive for a comprehensive report. The Nelson Automobile Association forwarded the following suggestions: (1) that the South bland Motor Union should make an emphatic protest against the continued delay in issuing the promised motor regulations. We feel that when these regulations are available the local bodies will be able to frame their own by-laws, and that until these are issued a great many matters which might be considered are automatically held up; (2) that the South Island Motor Union re-affirms the principle of giving way to traffic on the right. These were approved.

The Southland Association recommended that the South Island Motor Union strongly disapproves of the practice of motor associations countenancing road-speeding. A Southland delegate gave an instance of a recent record run by a Willys Knight car from Christchurch to Invercargill, during which the average speed was just on 40 miles an hour. It was stated that an observer had been provided by an affiliated association. The chairman dissociated the Otago Club from such a speed test. There was no doubt, he said, that the car must have been run at a dangerous speed, and it was a grave error for any affiliated association to be connected with such a speed test. He strongly protested against such a thing happening again. The remit was endorsed.

The Nelson Automobile Association forwarded the following remit: In view of the fact that conditions have changed and are changing so much the advisability should be considered of the Main Highways Board taking over everything relating to main highways, i.e., construction, reconstruction, and maintenanefe of main highways. The chairman thought they should discuss the matter with the Counties’ Association, and this was agreed to. The chairman deprecated the erection of hoardings all over the country and moved: (1) That the South Island Union co-oper-ate with the North Island Union in an endeavour to have legislation introduced which will abolish the existing objectionable method of advertising on or adjacent to our rural highways; (2) That the Union expresses its displeasure at the manner in which petrol and motor tyre companies disfigure the scenic beauties of our Dominion by the erection of hoardings, and that all such companies be written to requesting that this objectionable method of advertising be abandoned, and that existing hoardings be removed; and that copies of replies to this protest be circulated to all the motor associations in the South Island.

Several delegates strongly criticised the railway department for permitting the erection of hoardings on departmental property and the remits met with the unanimous approval of those present. A motion that the maximum penalty for stealing cars should be £5O or six months’ imprisonment was carried. One of the proposals sent forward by the Otago Motor Club recommended that persons in charge of or driving motor vehicles while under the influence of liquor should have their licenses cancelled for a minimum term of three years. Only seven voted for the motion. The chairman read a telegram from Mr F. W. Johnston (Christchurch), a member of the executive, who suggested that the Union again discountenance dimming, and recommend the relentless prosecution of ignorant or callous drivers using naked headlights or faulty anti-dazzle lenses. The motion met with the approval of delegates. A suggestion from a Nelson delegate that the Union executive consider the proper focussing of headlights was also adopted.