MOTOR UNION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10925, 14 November 1913, Page 8

MOTOR UNION.

SHOULD THE PROPOSAL BE PERSEVERED WITH? gome five months ago a was mado to form a provincial Motor Union to promoLe the interests of motorists throughout Canterbury. To tins- ond a, conference was hold betweon the Canterbury Automobile Association and representatives from South Canterbury. Tho conference affirmed the principle of a. Union, and sot up a committee to draft rules, but the newly-elected committee of tlio Canterbury Association objected to tho Union, principally on tlio ground that it was unnecessary, and would impose an additional lee ol os a member, without any compensating advantage. To clear tlio air, a further conference was held last night. There were present Dr Simpson (president) and Messrs "'.V. Broadway, A. S. Clarkson, E. H. James and D. Crosiier, of the Canterbury Automobile Association, and Messrs Norton Francis and N. M. Orbell (Waimtitc), J- Guinness (Timaru) and J. Gri.eg (Ashburton). Mr Erancis said that southern motorists were determined to form a Union to hold themselves together, and if tho Canterbury Association would not come in, tho Union would still be formed. Tho Canterbury Association had few members in South Canterbury, and was not likely to obtain many in tho future. It was hoped to be able to present a solid front before the motor tax was imposed, and a strong body, representative of Timaru, Waimate and Ashburton, would have a big influence on the Bill. In a conversational discussion, the Christchurch members stated that tlio principal objection to tho Union was on the score of expense, especially as the objects of the Association and the Union were virtually the same. Mr Francis said that the contribution, would relieve the Canterbury Association of the good work that it had undertaken south of the Rakaia, such as finger-posts and water-raco posts. This work would be undertaken by the southern Association or by the Union. However, lie would be prepared to reduce the contribution to the point of paying merely the fee to the New Zealand Union and tho stationery expenses of the Union, with perhaps a bonus to tho secretary of the Canterbury Association for extra work entailed by tho meetings of the Union, say, every two months in Christchurch, ' On Mr Clarkson's motion it was resolved to call an early meeting of the Canterbury Association to come to a final decision on the subject.