AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1919, Page 5

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING OP COUNCIL. By Tilegraph.—Press Association. Wellington,' June 27. The annual meeting of the council of the New Zealand Automobile Union was held to-day. Mr. McLean, Napier, presided. In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. McLean said the time had arrived when they should grapple with the question of arterial roads. The bes.t means of doing this was the appointment of a non-political national road, board. The present Minister of Public Works was "a good, obstinate, honest Minister," but when the construction of roads was advocated he. looked at the railway point of view. They wanted freedom from political control. They possessed no influence, because motorists did not combine in the establishment of a strong association. One thing was clear, that was that if they wanted good roads they must submit to taxation. The attitude of the Otago motorists was an example to them in this respect. Wellington, Last Night.

The Automobile I'liion lias approved a remit that, in view of the large number of motor accidents in connection with bridges painted black, it is desirable that all bridges be painted white. It was decided to recommend to the Government the work of constructing the proposed new road from Wellington to Paekakariki, via Pukerua. in order to avoid the elevation at Paekakariki; also a deviation over the Rimutaka, in view of the fact that both these roads constitute main highways from Wellington. The election of officers resulted: President, P. S. McLean; vice-presidents, P. W. Johnston (Canterbury), C. M. Banks (Wellington: executfve committee, Dr. Prendergast Knight (Wellington), M. H. Wvnvard (Auckland), G. B. Bullock (Otago), Martin Elgar (Wairarapa) s secretary and treasurer, W. Beauohamp Platts; auditor, 0. Kembor.