MOTOR GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2842, 5 August 1916, Page 3

MOTOR GOVERNMENT

$— — ANNUAL MEETING OF HZ. UNION ~ AMERICAN TRADE . The annual meeting of the New Zealand Automobile Union was held yesterday, the president ('Mr. P. S. Jl'Lean) being in the chair. The other delegates present were :• Messrs. Handyside (Haw He's My), Elgar, Booth, and Wilson _(W«irarapa); Jlagnus, Banks, and Dr. Knight (Wellington). Auckland, Manawatu, Marlborough, and Canterbury were not represented. ' In the annual report," regret was expressed that the Government had not given effect to demands 'that had benn made from many quarters for some improvement in matters alfecting motorists and the travelling public generally. It was proposed to approach the Minister with. the. view of having regulations .issued under the Motor Regulation Act, 1908, with reference to licenses and other matters which come within the power given by that Act to the Governor. The report said the union is to be congratulated upon the passing of an Act last year to render compulsory the'carrying of lights on vehicles at night. It was to be re-, gretted, however, that the Statute did not require the placing of a light at the rear of all vehicles travelling at night. It was difficult to convince the drivers of vehicles other 'than motors of the necessity of so carrying a light that it shall be seen, and nine-tenths of the lights carried by such vehicles are virtually useless as rear lights. It was proposed to ask the Minister to give the executive of the union; ail opportunity of discussing with/liim all by-laws proposed by local bodies. It appeared to the executive that there 6hould be not only reasonableness but uniformity in the by-laws of the various local bodies throughout, the Dominion.-- -There-was a general-feeling throughout the Dominion that at an early date there .would have to be. taken into consideration - the- question' whether a change-is required in .the,, system 61 rating for maintenance ol' roads. The ■ report adds: "Another point worthy of notice is the 1 enormous increase in the motor trade with America. Although importations from the United Kingdom have virtually ceased for the time, it would;: be a great misfortune- if, when timeschanged, a non-British monopoly were found to have been established here. It is suggested that ■ the Vunion should be ready with proposals which would assist in keeping 'the trade within the Empire." The balance-sheet showed a credit , balance of £L 7. J2s. (id.

The chairman moved the adoption of the report. The motion was seconded by Dr. Knight, , and carried. 'The chairman that they'should suggest to tho Minister the advisability of-having uniform regulations regarding the licensing of drivers. This suggestion was agreed to, and the meeting also I decided to consult the Minister on the subject of local bodies' by-laws, with a view to securing uniformity.

It was decided that the union is in favour of tlio abolition of all 'toll-gates. Mr. P. S. M'Lean' was re-elected president. It was also decided that the Executive Committee consist of the officebearers, the Wellington delegates, 1 and one representative from cach affiliated association. Mr. W._ Beanchamp-Platts was re-elected secretary and treasurer, and Messrs. H. Kember and Son auditors. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. G. AV'. Russell) attended at .the conclusion of the conference, and the matters which had been under consideration wero put before him by the chairman, who laid particular ; stress on _ the necessity of the Government appointing an en- ' gineer to advise local bodies on the construction of roads. . ,

The; Minister, in reply, said 'they all recognised the immense progress that had been made in motor traffic. As to roads, the cost o? bringing, tliem up to motor (regulations was so huge that it would have to be left 'to develon itself. In his Local Government Bill of a few years ago he hnd inserted a clause providing that 110 one should be appointed a county engineer who could not prove that he had scientific knowledge. That would go a long way towards solving the problem. Ho thought 'the cost of road improvement should come cither out of-the PuMic Works Fund or the Consolidated Fund. He was in favour of the licensing of drivers and of bringing, into force a. set of model by-laws for the control of motor traffic. He would bo willing to receive any suggestions from the union on the subject. As to the maintenance of roads, lie'said he had already advocated a system of graduated Government subsidy 011 rates based upon the. necessities of each . connty and its rating capacity. In any case, the Government wns not in favour of the erection of toll, gates, and its legislation would be framed in that direction. The law as it stood, he. remai'ltftl in conclusion, was finite sufficient to deal with the question of unreasonable speed.