MOTORISTS PROTEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 588, 14 February 1929, Page 13

MOTORISTS PROTEST

MR. FURKERT’S ATTITUDE SPEED LIMITS AND SIGNS Strong protests against what was desertbed as "Mr. Furkert’s attitud® t ° Motor Union” were made by speakers at the North Island Motor Union's half-yearly conference this morning. un , ion ' vas definitely dissatisfied ith replies from Mr. F. W. Furkirt IfU^vllC 1 f U^v llC V ? rks .engiiiecr, and chairman ot the Main Highways Board, concernboiicFsf°nslimi 1 re Sulations and gym- , An interpretation of the new motor regulations regarding speed re^tricgetrded ns sufficient. The result of a long discussion was u resolution that a wire and a letter of protest should bo sent to * the t rimo Minister, «ir Joseph Ward, regarding Mr. Furkert’s letter on speed limits. A .full interpretation of the rules will be urged. Another fact troubling the union is tnat it lias not been definitely assured that the new regulations over-ride local body by-laws. “JUST A MEDLEY” , Furkert’s letter is just a medt \ sa i! d Mr - A * J - Toogood (Welling«on>, the conference president. "Why tho issue cannot be cleared up, I do not see. We want clear-cut knowledge as to whether the Motor Vehicles Act overrules other regulations.” Mr. G. W. Hutchison (Auckland): x X l er ‘r assured at a conference with Mi. J urkert that all existing by-laws would be wiped out by the new regulations. Local bodies arc erecting their own restriction signs without the approval of tiie Minister. It's hopelessly confusing. Mr. Toogood: Are you satisfied with Mr. Furkert’s letter? Mr. Hutchison: No. • * Nlr - *’• Manton (Wellington): I have been on several deputations to Mr. Eurkert on automobile questions. 1 havo seen that man snap his fingers at us. Motorists have been insulted. That man has been prejudiced on some questions. The union should take drastic action, as no satisfaction is being secured at present. "Tho time lias arrived for motorists to have their say—not Mr. Furkert,” Mr. Manton went on.. Mr. Toogood: • Do you suggest that we should go over Mr. Furkert’s head in protesting? “ABOVE HIS SPHERE” Mr. Manton: Absolutely. We should lift it above his sphere altogether. We should protest emphatically against j the way motorists are treated when there are delegations to Mr. Furkert. Mr. A. J. Curtis (Wellington) said that tho union should congratulate the Hon. W. A. Veitch on his appointment as Minister of Transport. He understood that many of the subjects concerning motorists would come under transport administration. Mr. Toogood: In any case, we do not know where we are with these regulations. Mr. Furkert’s reply concerning the new symbolic warning signs also aroused criticism. The union considered that the number of different signs was confusing and that the signs were not as useful as lettered signs. “Silly things” was the comment of Dr. E. E. Porritt (Wanganui). Mr. W. G. Walkley (Wellington) pointed out that the symbolic sign scheme was embarked on without the opinion of the Motor Union. "Wo are not going to t;ike this sort of medicine,” Mr. Walkley said. “Not from public servants. We have endured enough.” Mr. I. V. Wilson (Wellington) said that the union had been writing to t)iu department for live years on motoring problems with scant success. On his suggestion it was decided to send a deputation to Mr. Veitch to discuss many of the prcblemms.