AUTOMOBILE UNION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2510, 10 July 1915, Page 12

AUTOMOBILE UNION

■ - 4——— .'; ANNUAL MEETING. ,Tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Automobile 'Union ' was held in .Wellington yesterday morning. The following delegates wero present: —llawke's Bay, Messrs. P. S. M'Lean (president) and.ltusseli' Duncan; Wellington, Mr. 0. M. Banks and Dr. C. P. Jlnight; Manawatu,'"Mr.' It S. Abrahams'; Wairarapa, Mr.' C. Eigar; Marlborough, Messrs. 'Ifraser-Tylier, Gane, and, Thomas; Canterbury,' Mr. Johnston; Otago, Mr.- (J.-.'B; Bullock. Tho aiinual' report, presented' by Mr. \W. Beauchamp l J iatts (secretary), stated , that, as regards legislation, little or no progress nad been made on ac.conut of the war. , The committee (thought.that some steps sliould bo taken by Union in advocating tho formation of-one or more main trunk roads through both Islands. Tho work of incorporating tlio union had 'proceeded. slawljy ; but. the matter .was'iiow a lit-, tie further, forward, and it was hoped to complete ft'before-tho meeting dispersed. ; . The '. .several,v associations throughout tho Dominion' wero 'urged to consolidate their, interests i by affiliating with the union ami/supporting it in tho exercise ' of' its .functions) namely, legislation and. questions of , national and:"gotteral importahce; as-apart 1 from 'matters .of local import. , Respecting the usefulness .. of the union.; the chairman said that: its ; valuo chiefly in,' regard to. licensing 'of drivers, borough by-laws, niotor tax, speed limits, and the lilce. 'Tlio union would. like 'to see' all drivers liceuscd. As to speed limits, the union desired that the law should remain as it was, providing for a ' speed which was reasonable in view of the ; circumstances, as against an arbitrary spteed limit. _ Another" advantage was that 'the union, being ,'an incorporated body, would -probably bo consulted by ;the Government in all matters concerning motorists, -and, further, it was able to assist in- the carrying of tho wounded from tho ships to their homes or hospitals. After referring to other matters, the chairman said lie regretted that so littlo interest and enthusiasm were shown by local associations. Other speakers regretted greatly that the -union, was recoiving so little support from other associations. It was. hoped that' the associations would' in futuro try; and realiso tlio great value of tho association'to motorists generally. „ In tho afternoon- a deputation waited on the Geuoral .Maiiageiv of Railways, (Mr." : E. H. Hiley)','and asked for improvements to be made at level crossings.l Mr. Hilcy said that if tho names ofcrossings considered particularly "danrgorbus wore sent, along, he would see what could be done. Ho added that at present the Department was experimenting with alarms for crossings.