ANNUAL GATHERING.

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 244, 16 October 1942, Page 6

ANNUAL GATHERING.

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT. The association's annual meeting followed, there being only a small additional attendance. Moving tlie adoption of the report andi balance slieet, which has already been published, the president drew attention to the fact that the rneinbership showed a decrease compared with what it had ibeen at this time last year. The figures were 1556 against 1651. This recession, he said, was only nat-ural in Yiew of the many factors now operating to prevent anything like the normal use of a private car. A number of members had disposed of their vehicles, others had had them taken over for Service purposes, some had left the district, while a few who had laid up their cars had — very s ho r t - s Ighted 1 y , in the president's opinion — withdrawn from the association's ranks, with the result that if they had been insured with the S.I.M.U. Mutual Association they had lost the benefit of this very

advantageous cover. There were other benefits to be obtained by continued membership of the A.A. even though a man had temporarily ceased using his car, and these need hardly be enumerated. "But there is one which, to my mind, transcends all others, and that is the duty we each have to see that our troops— and by that I mean the whole three Services — when they retui'n from the war shall not be able to reproach those of us who stayed ibehind with having 'slacked' in any particular. Cars vvill run again; camping grounds will be in greater demand, it is hoped, than ever; the A.A. van will again become a welcome sight on the road; car insurance on the most favourable terms possible will be looked for; the campaign for better roads in this district will have to be resumed," proceeded Mr Furness. "The motorist will have to fill again his pre-war place in society. To accomplish all these things money is necessary, and the easiest way a motorist ean help to provide that money is by retaining his membership of his A.A., which, although its activities have necessarily been considerably curtailed, and its service officer, Mr Johnston, is with the Forces, still finds things

to do that are of advantage to its members, and of value to the country as a whole." MANY S OLDIER- MEMBERS. During the year just closed over 100 , more of their members had been ' placed on the active service roll, ' which entitled them to free membership. The total number now serving in one or other of the various 1 fcranches of the Forces was 237, a figure which, he ventured to say, compared more than favourably witli ' those which most other associations 1 could show. Of course, some asso- ! ciations granted free membership only to those who went overseas. The Marlborough Association's policy was to extend it to every member who j donned the King's uniform, and he thought it would be agreed that this was the better and fairer way. One

or two of their soldier-members had laid down their lives in the course of duty; a number of members mourned the loss on active service of sons, brothers, or other close relatives; some were missing or wounded or prisoners of war. To all sorrowing or anxious members he extended his heartfelt sympathy, and he knew they would all wish to be associated with these sentiments. The association's "get-you-home" service had been availed of by a number of members during the year, and during bad weather frequent inquiries were made about the state of various roads. The association's very eomplete system of sign-posting had been of substantial service to manoeuvring troops. The motorists' oflicial organ, The Motor World, was still supplied free of charge to members, and continued to champion fearlessly the cause of motordom and to breathe a spirit of intense patriotism which v/as a credit to those entrusted with its control.

ACCIDENT RESPONSIBILITY. A subject that had caused much concern to associations and the motor unions for some time past, said the president, had been that of the Government's liability for damages where Army motor vehicles had been responsible for accidents 011 the road. For a long time the authorities had taken shelter behind an obsolete Act, but as a result of continued representations it had been recently announced that liability was to be recognised. "From what I have read since then, however, suspicions are entertained in some motoring quarters that loopholes have been provided that would, in certain circumstances, let the Government out. Probably only the Courts will be able to decide what is the real effect of the recent Ministerial statement; and this, it seems to me, is not at all satisfactory to those who have legitimate elaims to compensation," he added.

The finances of the association were in a very healthy state. It had £1000 invested in Government war loan, and the association was to contribute a similar amount during the current year. "In conclusion," he said, "I should like to express my sincere thanks to all who have contributed in any way towards a successful if rather uneventful A.A. year: to the members of the executive for the time devoted to our meetings; to Mr Duncan

and his staff for the smooth working of the administrative side, and to Mr Johnston for overhauling our signs. I hope — as I know you all do — that this will be the last annual meeting we shall hold under the dark and menacing shadow of war, and that by this time next year our eyes and ears will be becoming aocustomed to the sights and sounds of Peace." In seconding the motion, which was carried, Mr Girling sincerely thanked the president for his comprehensive address. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of oflficers resulted as follows: President, Mr R. P. Furness (re-elected unopposed) ; vice-presi-dents, Messrs R. V. Bythell, W. J. Girling, and L. C. Chaytor (re-elected unopposed) ; committee, Drs R. Noble-Adams and E. B. W. Smyth, ' and Messrs J. W. Douglas, W. J. Elvy, F. W. Gane, J. Hunter, R. A. Jamieson, H. Oldham, S. T. Richmond, and W. G. Rudd; auditor, Mr E. J. Harvey (re-appointed) . The appointment of Mr R. V. Bythell as a representative on the Ngakuta Domain Board was endorsed. Votes of thanks to the press, and to the secretary and his staff were carried by acclamation.