MANY REMITS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 21

MANY REMITS

♦ South Island Motor Union ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN CITY Many remits of importance to motorists were discussed by the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union, which was held in the Christchurch City Council Chambers yesterday. The president, Dr. S. A. Gibbs, of Nelson, presided over a large attendance of delegates, representatives

of the North Island Motor Union, and the Main Highways Board. The delegates were welcomed in the morning by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane), who commended the work of the motoring organisations in furthering the road safety campaign. He wished the delegates a pleasant stay in Christohurch, and expressed the view that their deliberations would again be of value to the community. Hearing of Intoxication Charges Mr A. E. Ansell expressed the appreciation of the Otago Association at the acceptance by the Minister for Justice of the general principle that charges against motorists of being intoxicated should be heard, wherever possible, by a stipendiary magistrate. That the journal, as an official organ of organised motoring interests, had no equal in the world, was the opinion expressed by Mr E. Palliser, who reported on behalf of the directors of the “New Zealand Motor World.” In two and a half years, its circulation had increased from 32,000 to 53T000, and it had proved a very valuable service for members of the associations. A remit from the South Canterbury Association, recommending all affiliated associations to adopt a uniform financial year, September 1 to August 31, was approved.

Inspectors’ Cars “Our policemen, if they are to be useful, have to be in uniform. The same principle should apply to traffic inspectors and their vehicles,” said Dr. Stanley Brown, in supporting a remit from the Southland Association that the union urge that all traffic inspectors’ cars be painted a uniform and easily recognisable colour. A North Otago delegate supported the recommendation. Mr P. W. Breen expressed the view that anonymity increased the effectiveness of the inspector’s work. He was out to educate the motorist and not to prosecute him unnecessarily, and if he was able to observe motorists when they were not conscious of official supervision, he would be able to do more in the direction of correcting motorists’ faults. The remit was referred to the executive for consultation with the North Island Motor Union.

On the motion of Nelson delegates, it was decided to recommend that all South Island associations reciprocate in the matter of road service; each association to pay for the service rendered in its own district, irrespective of the domicile of the member assisted, and on the understanding that the member receives the service operating in the particular district in which such service is given. Heavier Penalties Wanted "This matter is important, because offences open up possibilities of accidents involving serious injury," said Mr Ansell, in supporting a proposal that the Minister for Justice be approached with a request that heavier penalties be imposed for the conversion of motor-cars. Last year, said Mr Ansell, there were some 600 charges under this head, and every day inquiries were broadcast for mitring cars. He hoped that ultimately public opinion would be so stirred that stipendiary magistrates would impose deterrent penalties. The resolution was agreed to.“From exhaustive tests carried out in our district, we have become convinced that silver on black is the best combination of colours for traffic notices.” declared an Otago delegate, in urging the adoption of a uniform sign for the indication of the approach to a major road. The following remit was adopted:— “That, as it is desirable to have uniform signs throughout the Dominion, all ‘Major Road Ahead’ signs, to be B class signs, ?4in by 24in, that the wording be ‘Major Road Ahead,’ and that these words •be in silver on a black panel with a yellow border.” Other remits approved included a recommendation for the inauguration of road safety instruction in the schools, a recommendation that all vehicles with overhanging loads carry lights indicating the extremities of such, and an overhaul of the law relating to liability for damages suffered by road users through wandering stock. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr W, R. Carey; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs P. W. Breen, R. P. Furness, and S. G. McClelland; executive committee, Messrs H. C. Harley, B. Falck, J. S. Hawkes, F. W. Freeman, A. Donaldson, R. H. Parker, and R. Wilson; secretary and treasurer, Mr P. Harvey; auditor, Mr A. Donaldson. The next quarterly meeting was allotted to Greymouth,. and the halfyearly meeting to Nelson.