“PUTTING HOUSE IN ORDER”

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

“PUTTING HOUSE IN ORDER”

MOTOR-CYCLISTS AND THE SPEED LIMIT An assurance that motor-cyclists in the South Island are endeavouring to “put their house in order” in an endeavour to co-operate in the road safety campaign was given at the annual meeting of the South Island Motor- Union yesterday by Mr R. H. Parker, a delegate of the Pioneer Sports Club. The motor-cycle problem was mentioned by Mr J. S. Hawkes, in reporting on the work of the New Zealand Road Safety Council. Mr Hawkes said that the Minister for Transport had hoped to have further legislation on the Statute Book by now, the most important of which dealt with improved driving tests. A proposal to limit the speed of motor-cycles to 40 miles an hour had ben referred to the motorcyclists’ organisations and they were making every effort to improve their position. Mr Hawkes paid a tribute to Mr G. L. Laurenson, Commissioner of Transport, who was doing wonderful work in bringing about a greater measure of safety on the roads. He appealed to automobile associations to give him every assistance in this work. “I can assure you that your remarks at the last meeting made the motorcyclists sit up and take notice.” Mr Parker assured the president (Dr. S. A. Gibbs). A meeting of the three clubs in Canterbury had been called and they were now going into ways

and means by which motor-cyclists could help in making the roads safer. Measures by which motor-cyclists were trying to bring this about included good riding awards and safety slogans. Dr. Gibbs remarked that he was still convinced that a law providing against “driving to the common danger” was preferable to a speed limit of 40 miles an hour.