SIGNS ON ROADS AND RAILWAYS

Southland Times, Issue 23374, 4 December 1937, Page 11

SIGNS ON ROADS AND RAILWAYS

QUARTERLY MEETING OF MOTOR UNION

DISCUSSION ON SAFETY CAMPAIGN

Railway crossing signs, signs at side roads leading on to main roads and the road safety campaign were among the subjects discussed by delegates at the quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union held yesterday in the Automobile Association’s board room. The meeting was attended by Dr S. E. V. Brown (chairman), Messrs F. J. Williams (immediate past president), H. C. Harley (Nelson), Sydney Smith (Marlborough), C. G. Curtis, B. Flock and J. S. Hawkes (Canterbury), S. G. McClelland and R. Wilson (South Canterbury), W. Gillies, J. W. Petrie and D. H. Thomson (North Otago), A. E. Ansell, G. W. Ferens, H. H. Henderson, J. L. Passmore andP. H. Harre (Otago), D. J. Wesney, W. A. Stout, M. M. Macdonald and F. G. O’Beirne (Southland), W. R. Carey (Pioneer Amateur Sports Club, Christchurch), G. Laurence and Dr E. E. Porritt (North Island Motor Union) and Mr P. Harvey (secretary, South Island Motor Union).. The Mayor (Mr John Miller) extended a welcome to the delegates on behalf of the city. Invercargill was one of the youngest cities of New Zealand and he claimed it was one of the most progressive. A welcome was also extended by Mr Wesney, president of the Automobile Association (Southland). It was, he said, three years since they had attended a conference in Invercargill and they would no doubt notice some changes. His association deeply appreciated their attendance and it was gratifying to know that every association in the South Island was represented. It was decided to ask the Main Highways Board to provide constant supervision for the Kawarau Gorge road and the Otira Gorge road during the holiday period. RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNS Mr Wesney moved the following remit from the Automobile Association (Southland): — “That this meeting considers the desirability of painting St. Andrews Cross railway signs yellow with black lettering, and considers requesting a relative alteration in the Traffic Signs Regulations.” Mr Wesnev said that as practically all warning signs for motorists were painted yellow and black it would be beneficial if the railway signs were brought into line. Mr Carey, seconding the motion, suggested that a red line be painted on the proposed signs to show that they were railway crossings. Mr Williams said he agreed that the idea was an excellent one, and the motion was carried. It was decided to ask the Highways Board how the railway eliminations were being financed. The following remit from the Automobile Association (Otago) was discussed: “That where a service officer meets a motorist from another district he should endeavour to obtain him as a member of his (the motorist’s) home association, and if successful the application to be forwarded to the association concerned, less the commission paid.” Mr Passmore, moving the adoption of the remit, said his association would like it to be*' fully discussed so that they could arrive at some uniformity. The remit was supported on behalf of the Nelson association by Mr Harley. Mr Macdonald said the Southland association felt that, because of local conditions, it could not support the remit in its present form. He moved an amendment that the words “such an association as the motorist will nominate” be inserted in the remit in-, stead of “his (the motorist’s) home association.” A change of boundaries might be necessary in future, he added. The amendment was seconded by Mr W. A. Stout.

Mr Williams said that if the remit or the amendment were to go through it would break up the union. ' He suggested that it be withdrawn and settled in another way altogether. “I want to assure the Southland association that there is nothing sinister in the remit,” said Mr Ansell. “It is only to facilitate the enrolling of members.” Mr Laurence said that in the North Island it was left to the motorist to decide what- association he wished to join. After further discussion both the remit and the amendment were withdrawn.

A proposal that the union should put a “sticker” on all envelopes sent out and so bring under the notice of all members that they were paying a tax of lOjd u gallon on petrol was submitted by Mr Hawkes. Trouble was looming, he said, for the price of petrol was being increased and motorists looked to their associations 4 to do something. They paid 6d for roads and 4£d to the Government, It was stated to be an emergency measure and it was promised that the 4|d would be reduced, but the Government had shown no signs of reducing it. “If we let motorists know how much they are paying in tax we might do some good,” he added.

Mr Williams agreed that this was a very important matter, and he suggested that the stickers be distributed by the A.A. News. The sticker should, be circulated, for every motorist should know the position. It was decided to refer the matter to the executive. The proposed Motor Vehicles Damages Bill was then discussed in committee. MAIN ROAD SIGNS The question of sign-posting side roads leading into main roads was discussed. Mr Macdonald said he was in favour of the sign reading “Major Road Ahead.” This would be preferable to the sign reading “Main Highway Ahead” as had been suggested and it would make the signs uniform throughout New Zealand. The roads might be carrying a large stream of traffic and yet not be main highways. The sign was also used in England.

The proposed adoption of these signs had in view the introduction of legislation putting the responsibility of coming into a main line of traffic on those coming in from side roads, said Mr Ansell.

The president ruled that there was no notice of motion and there was no unanimity, so the signing must remain as “Major Road Ahead.”

It was pointed out that regulations governing camping grounds could not become operative until the local bodies gazetted them. Mr Williams said that if large camps were established, it was only right that hygienic conditions should be observed, but small camping parties should not be interfered with. It was decided to take no action in the matter. It was decided that the executive should deal with the question of having a uniformed man at the Picton wharf to attend to motorists arriving or departing at that port. It was decided to leave in abeyance the question of contributing to the Minister of Transport’s Safety Cam-

paign until it was discovered whether the National Safety Council would remain as an advisory body or be given executive powers. Mr B. Falck said that' all associations should support the Minister of Transport in his endeavours to make the roads safer. He asked that the matter be discussed so that something helpful might come of it. The Minister had made a fair appeal to the association and he’ thought he should be given assistance, said Mr Ansell. Something in the nature of a friendly letter could be sent to offending members. A motion that the matter be referred to the executive of the union and that it consult with the North Island Union was carried.

A report on his visit to the conference of Australian associations at Melbourne was given by Mr Lawrence, secretary of the North Island Motor Union, and he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

It was decided to send a letter of appreciation to the Australian associations for their invitation to representatives from New Zealand.

It was decided to hold a half-yearly meeting of the union at Greymouth on a date to be fixed by the executive.