N.Z. MOTOR CONFERENCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 106, 26 July 1927, Page 11

N.Z. MOTOR CONFERENCE

MEETINGS AT WELLINGTON CHANGES IN LAW URGED The New Zealand Motor Conference, ( consisting of representatives from the j unions of both islands, assembled in Wellington last week. The following delegates attended: North Island.—Messrs. A. J. Toogood, I. V. Wilson, C. M. Banks (Wellington), and Dr. E. E. Porritt (Wangaganui). South Island.—Messrs. A. E. Ansell, president of the South Island Motor Union (Dunedin), F. W. Johnston and J. S. Hawkes (Christchurch), J. Purdie (Otago), and P. R. Harman (Christchurch), secretary of the South Island Motor Union. Mr. M. H. Wynyard, motorists’ repi esentative on the Main Highways Board, and Mr. H. J. Stott, secretary of the conference, were also in attendance. Mr. A. J. Toogood, who presided, in welcoming the delegates, referred to the good feeling which existed between the motor unions of both islands. Many subjects of interest to the motoring fraternity were discussed and resolutions passed. It was agreed that where a person was convicted of converting a motorcar to own use, but not to be guilty of theft, there should be no fine, but a minimum sentence of six months’ imprisonment. A motion favouring the abolition of speed limits throughout the Dominion and the dealing of all offences for speeding under section 28 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1024, was carried. The advisability of legislation to compel all bicycles to carry a rear red light was approved. It was decided to ask the Govern- ! ment to amend the Act making a motorist who gives a pedestrian a free ride not liable for any claim for death or any injuries sustained by the pedestrian in the event of an accident occurring, and to provide that all persons accepting a ride in a motor-car shall do so at their own risk. A motion that no car should be licensed for use in the Dominion unless 1 an insurance policy was produced covering all third-party risks, without any exemptions, was carried. It was agreed that all motor drivers’ licences should be uniform, entitling the holder to drive any class of motor vehicle other than a motor-cycle or traction engine.

The Minister of Justice is to be approached with a view to fixing a time limit of 14 days for the issue by local bodies of summonses for traffic offences by motorists. TRAFFIC SAFETY Mr. Johnston explained what was being done in the South Island in the wav of a safety campaign. On his motion, it was decided that both the North and South Island Motor Unions be recommended to combine in a traffic safety campaign, and set up committees to further the project. Mr. Hawkes contended that unless universal traffic regulations were introduced it would be bard to get anywhere with a safety campaign. MOTORISTS’ REPRESENTATIVE A great deal of discussion centred round the fact that the South Island motorists had no direct representation on the Main Highways Board. It was pointed out that the South Island motorists are contributing more toward the upkeep of highways than local bodies in that island, and this was urged as a reason why they should have a representative of their own. Mr. M. H. Wynyard, the present representative, stated that he had always been in favour of the motorists having another representative on the board, and in fact had supported the claim before the board. Eventually the following motion, proposed by Mr. Johnston, was carried: "That this conference approves of both islands having separate motorists’ representation on the Main Highways Board, and if the Government approves the chairman can be given the right of veto.” It was decided to forward the resolution to the Government.