MOTOR REGULATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1242, 26 September 1911, Page 8

MOTOR REGULATIONS.

DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER. SUGGESTED SAFEGUARDS. A deputation representing the Auckland. Christchurch, Wellington, and Hawke's Bay Automobile Associations waited upon the l'rime Minister yesterday morning to make representations in regard (o the lighting of vehicles fho licensing of motor drivers, and danger annals. It was introduced by the Hon. Charles Louhscm. Mr. C. H. Poole attended on behalf of the Aucklaud Association and supported tho proposals advanced. Mr. W. E. Mills (resident of the Canterbury Association) stated that eoiiio counties no\r had by-laws providing that vehicles must Iμ lighted, but that in many country districts uulighted vehicles still constituted a distinct danger to the public. The deputation asked that a short Bill should be introduced to provide that every vehicle must carry a real light. Mr. Mills mentioned that motorists were advocating tho use of the "reflex red light," a small flat reflector carrying a red disc. Borne, in rear of a vehicle this reflector would catch the light from tho lamps of an approaching motor and serve the purposes of a tail light. Dr. M. G. Louisson (vice-president of ■the Canterbury Association) suggested thai the system of licensing motor drivers, followed in England, might bo adopted in New Zealand. At present in this country only the car was registered, and a man might be fined two or three times for exceeding th<? speed limit or for being intoxicated. U tho license of a driver vei-o endorsed on the occasion of every such offence it would act as a deterrent lo "road hogs." They would also urge that a liceii---3 should not be granted to any person less than 17 years of ago. Regulation on these lines would safeguard the public and tend to remove the prejudice against mgt'oriste. Mr. E. Nordcn (sscrehry of the Canterbury Association) stated that the third proposal was the only cv.c that involved any expenditure by the Government. As they kuew that there would be a big surplus next year that felt sure that the Prime Minister would not object to this. On some of the Canterbury roads and, he understood, to a much greater extent on some of (he North Island roads, there were places which offered very great dangers to life and limb. If the- Government would grant a ,£1 for £\ subsidy tho Canterbury Association would undertake to expend a decent sum of money in erecting danger-signals. Mr. C. M. Banks (secretary of the Wellington Association) staled that anyone motoring on the road to the Jlutt at night frequently met vehicle* which carried no lights. There had been correspondence in the papers lately about the dangerous speed at which motors travelled in Wellington. Christchurch members of the deputation informed him that motors were driven at much . greater speed hero than in Christchurch. Since efficient regulations existed in Christchurch, he suggested that if tho police and authorities in Wellington enforced the present Act it would be quite effective in keeping the. speed down. Tho Prime Minister, hi replying, fmd he recognised that motoring had come to stay, probably for ever, unlets it were superseded by tho use of flying machines. There was an undeniable necessity ,for the proper control both of motoring n.sd of attendant dangers on tho roads. He v.os prepared to help to have tho whole business placed upon what ho would call a sensible basis, but it was very problematical whether the legislation asked for could be brought down, that year. He agreed with what had been said in regard to tho lighting of vehicles, and saw no reason- why there should not be cooperation in the matter of damger-signals. Members of automobile associations should be prepared to contribute a portion of the cost, but he was prepared to help. Ho agreed absolutely with the suggestion in regard to the licensing of drivers, and concurred in tho ago-limit proposal. No- one under the age of seventeen should be allowed to drive a motor-car. He saw no reason why they should not go into the whole matter next session.