MOTOR UNION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17113, 7 April 1921, Page 4

MOTOR UNION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The Executive Committee of the South Island Motor Union met last night. ' Present: Messrs P. W. Johnston (president), 2jT. M. Orbell, F. V. Thomas, W. H. Benson, and J. S. Hawkes.

The report to be presented at the annual meeting on 28th inst. stated that the Union had justified its existence. Five motoring bodies were affiliated at the first meeting, and three had since joined, making a total of eight clubs and associations, with an approximate membership of 3350. . A letter was received from the Kailway Department relative to tho representations made for the provision of safetv sidings at railway crossings, stating that 'it system of parallel roadway crossings would be impracticable, as the cost would be too great. The installation of safety appliances at dangerous crossings was being proceeded with as fast as possible. . . The meeting decided to persevere in its agitation for safety sidings. Membership returns were received as follows: Canterbury Automobile Association 1780, Otago Motor Club 700, South Canterbury Auto Association-196, South Canterbury Motor Club 90, Southland Motor Club 155. The South Otago Motor Club, with 35 members, applied for affiliation. The request was granted. The /South Canterbury Auto 1 Association suggested the abolition, of the present system" of registration of motor-cars, ond the adoption of a new system. Mr Orbell brought forward a Tequest from Waimate that efforts .ehould be made' to secure the general practice of removing gorse hedges at the angles of courftry roads. At present the consent of the owner had to be obtained, but the suggestion was that the local bodies should havo power to enforce the regulation. „ It was decided to refer suggestion to the conference with the Xew Zealand Union to bo held in Wellington. Mr Benson said tho Union had decided that tho greater onus of care should'be on the driver of a car coming from a side road into a main road, whereas a ruling recently given by the local magistrate was that drivers were equally responsible, whether they were on the side road or the main road. The president said the Union desired to h*v» lesislation adopted according to their •news. "The driver of ft car from Ah side rcai :utj a rsait read would thf.n lia aajer » Jutj* to exercistf sntjuiaJ cairn