MOTOR TRAFFIC.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1502, 26 July 1912, Page 9

MOTOR TRAFFIC.

PROPOSALS TO REGULATE IT.

LEGISLATION PBOMISED. In various centres in New Zealand thero nro associations of nutoihobilists, and lately a movement has been successfully carried through to establish a central body to embrace all such local associations. The aims of such club?, and of the central union, is to conserve tho interests of motorists generally. A meeting of delegates from associations nil over New Zealand wns held yesterday morning, and in tho afternoon a deputation waited upon tho Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. H. D. Bell) to lay before him a list of. reforms which they asked the Government to make possible by legislation. Tho members of the deputation wero: Messrs. P. M'Lenn (Napier), J. llandyside (Napier), T. Inglis (Wellington), and C. JKlgnr (Wairarnpn). Mr. M'Lean said that ono of the duties of the new association would bo to keep m touch with Ministers concerning any new legislation that might he contemplated. It was admitted that there was a great deal to bo said on. behalf of the public on account of the reckless driving of certain motorists, and that motor traffic onght l to bo regulated. Ho urged that all drivers should be licensed, on boing able to show that they were of good character, and the union suggested that the minimum 'ago bo 18 years, or, in llio , case of persons of proved competence, 16 I years. These licenses, he suggested, would bo subject to endoscmont of rcancellntion by n magistrate, but in the event of suspension tor a period of one year or more the driver should have tho right of appeal to a Supremo Court judge. He urged also that a better system of licensing cars should be adopted to avoid the confusion which was the rulo at. present. It was impossible to discover now how many motor-cars there were in. New Zealand. Tho registration might be undertaken by a Government officer in each district. Speed limits he thought unnecessary, lwcause what was a reasonable rate depended on.tho amount of traffic. In cities or boroughs a maximum limit of 10 miles per hour might be fixed. Motorists complained, he said, that horso vehicles and bicycles were frequently unlighted after sundown, and motorists' had to run risks on account of careless travellers. Ho asked the Government not to object to flic erecting of danger signals wjiere they were deemed necessary, and that tho Government should not permit roads.to be closed as dangerous to motor traffic without reference to the Minister. It was also suggested thnt tho Government should make some provision for tho maintenance of country roads now neglected because tho land adjacent paid no rates. A uniform registration fee might be charged, and tho proceeds of the fees collected devoted to the upkeep of such roads as these. Mr. Bell, in reply, said that nearly every ono of tho points brought forward would require legislation. "It is very easy to promise legislation," lie said, "but I mean, and I think my colleagues mean, that legislation that vv present to Parliament shall bo well considered, that Acts to remedy for the moment an apparent and immediate difficulty shall not bs introduced, with a-view to some real remedial legislation being introduced later. I will endeavour so to consider this that it may be possible to introduce some legislation this year. I make you no promiso that there shall be legislation this year, but the matter will bo considered by myself and by the officers of my Department, and you may look forward to what'will be proposed this year, or certainly next year." . . He aslred Mr. M'Lean to submit the proposals of the. association in writing, and ho said he would be glad of the export assistance of its officers in preparing the Bill to be introduced.