OTAGO MOTOR GLOB

Evening Star, Issue 21745, 13 June 1934, Page 7

OTAGO MOTOR GLOB

COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE EVERY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED Endeavours to enforce the comprehensive insurance of every motor vehicle are to be made if an opportunity to ventilate the question is given at the quarterly meeting of the South island Motor Union, to be held on June 29, at Timaru, as a result of a discussion at last night’s meeting of the Otago Alotor Club. Air P. W. Breeu presided over the following:—Messrs .A. -J. Allen, F. J. Williams, J. L. Passmore, H. H. Henderson, H. S'. Reid. W. AIM lines, W. Wright, G. T. Thorn, E. J. Anderson, F. Goodwin, G. S. Kirby, C. Vv. Sundstrum, A. O. Davies, W. Hudson, P. W. Curtis, C. H. Biugham,, and A. J. Campbell. introducing the subject, Mr Allen said that in the case of an uninsured car becoming involved in an accident it was often the other motorist who had to pay. Portion of the repair costs might be paid by the insurance company, but that did not always sufficiently reimburse the motorist for the damage done to his car. He added: “ If a man cannot insure his ear he should not own one.” No car should be registered unless the owner made provision for comprehensive insurance, Mr Wright said. Efforts to compel that condition should be introduced. Air H. S. Reid: You will never get it. The insurance demands.were exorbitant, and quite beyond the means of many motorists, said Air Thorn. He knew of people who, rather than contribute to the profits of an insurance company, placed the equivalent of the fees in the bank to meet any emergency. . On the motion of Air Wright, seconded by Air Allen, it was decided to instruct the club’s delegates to, inti'oduce'the matter at the B.I.ALU. meeting if opportunity presented itself. DRIVERS’ LICENSE FEE. Several remits to be placed before the quarterly meeting of the S.I.M.U. were notified by the secretary of the union and discussed as follows: —

I.—That the S.I.M.U. make every effort to have the renewal fee for motor drivers’ licenses reduced from 6s to Is per annum. (North Otago Motor Association.) . . . Mr .Williams said that it was ridiculous to, expect any local authority to issue licenses at such a fee, which would he insufficient to pay the expense and work entailed. Records of every motorist had to be kept, and the request was unreasonable. , “ I do not think anyone objects to paying 55,” said the Chairman. “The motor unions should be reasonable, and it’ any reduction is sought it should, be in big items rather than in little things, like this.” ~ i Mr Thorn said he would sooner see the registrations fixed at a lower rate. “Why renew driving licenses at all?” asked Mr Goodwin. “It is only a form of revenue.” • Members disagreed with this, as it was stated ■ that periodical check on every motorist’s characteristics was desirable. . , . En reply to Mr Davies it was reported that from drivers’ licenses the Government collected about £15,000 a .>e al - It was decided not to support the ICl 2.—That the S.I.M.U. make representations to the Railways Board in support of action taken by the Oamaiu Borough Council, with a view to.eliminating the dangerous level crossing over, the main highway at Severn street, Oamaim,. where a slight diversion would enable the department to carry the line underneath the roadway. (North Otago Motor Association.) This remit was supported. 3 That dubs and associations affiliated to the S.I.M.U. change, their names so as to be in conform! tv with what was proposed in the North Islaim, and that the. New Zealand AutomobileAssociation be disbanded and deregistered. (Southland Motor Union.) Explaining the purpose of the change the Chairman said that if the remit were adopted .every separate, organisation working in the interests of motorists would.thenceforth be known as an automobile association, the same as at Home. For instance, their club would become the Automobile Association (Otagoi. . , Some clubs had already changed their names, it was stated. It was decided to support the remit, provided that it was unanimously agreed upon by other motor organisations. It was also agreed to support the proposal regarding the disbanding and deregistration of the N.Z.A.A. 4.—That road service organised by motor clubs and associations should not he made available to nominee members persons nominated by members who'did not themselves own a cor and were immediate members ot tlie f.uni i of the person nominating them.

This matter was referred to the Road Service Committee to consider and report to the delegates to the S.I.M.U. meeting. Other remits to come before the quarterly meeting of the S.I.M.U. were considered. CONTINUATION OF HIGH STREET. Describing the work as necessary and eminently suitable for absorbing relief labour, Mr Reid suggested that the City Council be urged to continue High street right up to Morniugton. in order to eliminate the present detour around Queen's drive to reach Kglinton road. Other members agreed that the for•mation of this road was necessary, it being decided to empower the Legislation Committee to act on the suggestion. BAD ROADS. The present bad state of Cargill road was referred to by .Mr MTnnes, who said that the City Council had done nothing to it for about three months. Whilst, in view of the fact that the council intended to lay a drain in Cargill road, no one expected a permanent surface to be provided. Mr Williams said that that was no reason why temporary improvements should not be effected. They were necessary. It was decided to ask the city engineer to provide immediate improvements. Attention to the. bumpy state of the Central Otago road for a mile beyond Manuka station was drawn by Mr Henderson, and it was decided to refer a request to have the road repaired to the Public Works. Department, HIGHWAYS FUND. Regarding the club’s recent protest against further appropriation by the Government of the Main Highways Fund and asking that the union make every effort to see that in future years that fund was used solely for the purpose for which it was collected, the secretary of the South Island Motor Union advised that the matter had been considered. On behalf of the South and North Island Unions Mr A. E. Ansell. M.P., and Dr Porritt had waited on the Minister of Finance (Mr Coates) in Wellington. said the Chairman. The matter had been discussed with him. and as the annual estimates would soon be ready it was to be hoped that the halfmillion taken from the Highway’s Fund during the past two years would be left in the fund this year so that work on main roads could be continued. REPORTS. The Road Service Committee recommended that the services organised' by the club should be available only to members who had paid the current year’s subscriptions. It was also recommended that a conference be arranged with the Garage Proprietors’ Association to discuss matters in connection with the service. The report emphasised the fact that road contractors were not the servants of the club, and that the club accepted no liability for loss, damage, or injury suffered by a member through neglect of work or service rendered to him by the contractor. —It was reported that honorary members were entitled to the benefits of the service - .—The report was approved. The Road Signs Committee recom-, mended the erection of signboards in Cromwell Gorge, at Edievale, -Pomahaka, Omakau, Lowburn Ferry, Oinimi. Seaclifi, and Merton. It was also recommended that an inspection be made of the roads in the Peninsula County to ascertain where signs were necessary.—Approved. Twenty-six new members were elected.