AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19367, 25 July 1925, Page 3

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATIONS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. REMITS FOR DISCUSSION. > The following remits are being sent forward for discussion at the annual meeting of the North Island (N.Z.) J Motor Union, to be held at Auckland at the end of the month. The WanJganui association will be represented iby the president (Dr. E. E. Porritt) , and the secretary (Mr. D. G. Strachan ). WANGANUI AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. Remit No. 1. —That this annual meeting of the North Island (N.Z.) ' Motor I nion disapproves of the actions [of individual Associations and clubs I approaching Ministers of the Crown land departments upon matters of [national importance to motorists, and [that it be strongly recommended that 1(a) matters affecting the two islands I individually be dealt with by the parI ticular motor union concerned (north or south ) and (b) that matters affecting the Dominion as a whole be handled by the New Zealand Motor Conference. Remit No. 2.—That in order Io ensure representation of the interests of motorists, the North Island be divided into districts and that (a) in each district an association be given control with power to form its own branches, (b) that the boundaries of the various districts be fixed by the executive of the North Island (N.Z.) Motor Union in conjunction with associations now existing, (c) that no association be allowed tn form brandies or enrol members outside its j alloted boundaries, (d), that associations controlling Provincial Districts |be directly affiliated to the North is I land (N.Z) Motor Union on a membership basis; and (e) that it be a reeomImendation to the South Islam! Motor Union to adopt Ihe same, procedure with regard to the South Island, thus ensuring full representation of both islands at the N.Z. Motor Conference. Remit. No. .“».—That in the opinion of this meeting, the present system of car identification should be continued, and that the Same numbers be issued each year, the colour only of the number plates being changed. Remit No. 4. —That because of the diversity of opinion expressed by magistrates the New Zealand Motor Conference endeavour to obtain a definite ruling as to whether it is an offence for a motorist to drive on the wrong side or in Ihe midtile of the road, provided at the time the road is clear, and that if it is found that flriving in such n manner constitutes an offence steps be taken to introduce legislation making it permissible for motorists to use any portion of the road, provided they drive with safety. WAIRARAPA AUTOMOBILE. ASSOCIATION. Remit No. I.—That owing to the number of persons driving in A dangerous manner on the public, highway, and owing to the number of unlight vehicles to be found on Ihe country roads, the N.Z. Motor Conference again approach the Minister of Internal Affairs urging the establishment of a Cycle Patrol Brhnch, as it is considered this is the onlv method of effectively dealing with these very grave dangers. Remit. No. 2.—That the Government bo requested to immediately amend the Lights on Vehicles Act making it compulsory for tail lights to be carried on all vehicles, but in regard to cycles it is considered that reflectors would bo sufficient. Remit No. 3.—That the. Government be requested to mhke provision in the Lights on Vehicles Act whereby local bodies can be given power to appoint well lighted parking places wherein cars can be parked without lights. Remit No. 4.—That the Government be urged to legislate, giving power to the Highways Board to compel local bodies to bring roads up to the standard required by the hoard. Remit No. s—That the Highways Board be requested to use every endeavour to see that economical methods are employed where local bodies are carrying out road construction or maintenance.

Remit No. 6—That as considerable time has elapsed since the motor unions requested the removal of signs erected by firms advertising on rural roads, the members of affiliated associations should be asked f o support those firms complying with the unions’ request. Remit No. 7. That, in helping the education of drivers, affiliated associations should, when convenient, plAce. before their members the following etiquette: “Down hill drivers stop and give right of way to up hill drivers.’’ Remit No. 8. * That a request be made to the Highways Board iu the formation of new roads, or in the alterations of old roads, to endeavour to have all hill corners constructed on Ihe a chain radius, and all corners on the

flat up to a two-chain radius. If in constructing such corners a superelevation of one to twelve is made, such elevation will thereby allow motor cars to travel round corners on their correct side.

HAWKE’S BAY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

Remit No. 1. —That some action be taken towards obtaining “standardised bye laws” for all borough councils in the, Dominion.

Remit No. 2.—That some Action be taken regarding the encroachment of telegraph posts and electric wire transmission posts on the main highways. Ln the past, the Telegraph Department’s action in placing posts in positions dangerous to motorists has boon bad enough, but, the power boards have aggravated the position in Hawke’s Bay. There are instances between Dnnncvirkc and Woodville of posts placed in the roadway seven to ten feet from the fence. Two motor car accidents nave occurred in this section during the last three months. Remit No. 3.—That in the interests of motorists, failing redress meanwhile, that the attention of the Minister of Justice be drawn to the drastic line imposed upon Mr. J. I. Cato, viz., £lO and 7s costs for driving a distance of about 200 yards, on the wrong side of the. road, when passing through Cambridge en route to Auckland. AUCKLAND AUTOMOBILE. ASSOCIATION. Remit No. I.—That legislation be asked for empowering chief traffic inspectors to require motorists who have committee by-law broaches to attend at the Traffic Inspector’s Office and in eases whore the offence is admitted the frbflic. inspector to bp empowered to impose. a. penalty according to an adopted scale.

Remit No. 2.—That renewed efforts be made to obtain legislation in regard to traffic, at intersections by which the traffic on the right-hand shall have the right of way.

WE LI J N GTO N AUTOMOBILE CLUB. Remit No. L —That the incoming executive be requested to take whatever further steps may be feasible to check the theft of cars and joy-riding. Remit No. 3.—That, a further at- : tempt bo made to have repealed the provision in the Government Railways’ Act requiring motorists to stop before crossing the railway line, as the provision under the Act requiring reduced speed to ten miles is sufficient to ensure a careful look out. Remit. No. 4.—That the union do its utmost to secure provision for the general testing and readjustment of headlights to prevent dazzle. That the Government bo requested to rssue regulations on the matter, or failing that, that in co-oporation with the I municipal associations and counties associations, an endeavour be made to (have a model by law drafted, making lit, compulsory for motorists to have Ithcir head lights adjusted. [ Remit. No. 5.-That provisional boundaries be drawn up for area to bo covered by each association affiliated to the union, subject to revision by the executive as now associations are formol. and that the Wellington Austomobile Club bo allotted pro tern the No. 9 Highways District. Remit No. 6. —That in view of the failure of the recent Dominion Conference on number plates, etc, to notify the Government that the two largest North Island associations are favour able to giving Ihe present system a fair [trial. Tfiat stops be taken by Ihe incoming executive to secure some means by which decisions are representative of the feelings of the majority of motor vehicle owners in the Dominion. Remit No. 7. —That if the Highways Act is amended to increase the main tenanee subsidies to local bodies to £1 I for £1 in lieu of the present rate of £1 to £2 of local body money, the union ' use its utmost endeavours to secure a quid pro quo As follows: fa) Equal representation on the Highways Board of motor taxpayers as compared with local body representation. (b) That the Highways BoArd be 'given full power in the event of failure by a local body to maintain a highway Io the required standard to do the work itself and collect from the local body its due share of the cost of bfficn work.

Remit No. B.—That steps be taken by the union to promote a new “Lights on Vehicles Bill,” providing, inter alia:

(a > That local bodies make by-laws allowing vehicles to remain unlighted ht prescribed parking places. fb) Requiring all vehicles to carry rear lights.

c) Fixing a uniform time for lighting up. (Note: The present Act prescribed half an hour after sunset as lighting-up time, but the Chief Justice ruled in a New Plymouth case that it is optional for loehl bodies to fix an earlier but not a later hour, and the New Plymouth by-law requiring light-ing-up time at sunset was thus upheld). Remit No. 9.—That when a member of the North Island (N.Z.) Motor Union Executive resigns during his term of office for executive, in filling the vacancy, request nominations from the association which the retiring member represents. Remit No. 19.—That the general committee bo requested to revise the union’s constitution so as to give more equitable representation to the views .of affiliated association in proportion to their membership. SOUTH TARANAKI AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. Thht the cost of issuing a duplicate driver’s license, replacing one lost or mislaid, should be reduced to Is and that it be a recommendation to the union to take the steps necessary to bring about such reduction.