NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 August 1940, Page 3

NEWS AND NOTES

ITEMS OF DOMINION INTEREST. Motor Vehicle Lighting. “Defective and badly adjusted headlights continue to be the cause of much inconvenience and danger in night driving. Every opportunity is taken to impress on members the importance of having headlights properly adjusted and functioning efficiently, but results show that much more requires to be done," states the annual report of the North Island Motor Union. "Provision has now been made whereby buses lorries and other vehicles of unusual dimensions and those drawing trailerrequire to show a blue light to the front. This is an effective means of giving warning to approaching vehicles that special care is necessary.” Registration of Bicycles.

A paragraph, in the annual report of the North Island Motor Union slates: "It was a disappointment to the motorists when the requirement to have bicycles registered was deleted from the Transport Law Amendment Bill. 1939. even though when first introduced such a provision was included. Cyclo traffic is still one of the greatest bugbears of the highway, and until these vehicles are registered it appears impossible to bring their riders under proper control. In recent years there has been improvement in the marking of rear mudguards, but there is still much to support the view that rear red lights are necessary for night use of cycles.” Pedestrian Traffic. "The lack of observance of pedestrian crossings by those for whom they are provided is a subject constantly before the Union. It is disappointing that more concerted action' is not taken by' both traffic and police authorities to have full use made of pedestrian crossings and to have the road conduct of pedestrians improved. The Govern-' ment has repeatedly been requested to make a film for exhibition in theatres to illustrate the correct use of pedestrian crossings. In view of the continued disregard of traffic rules by pedestrians this inaction is greatly regretted” —so reads a passage in the annual report of the North Island Motor Union. Homes for British Children.

Offers received by the Government up to yesterday to provide homes for British children evacuated to New Zealand represent accommodation for 10,000 children. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, said last night that 1844 nominations had been made by New Zealand residents affecting 3564 children in England. Of the unspecified children to come under the evacuation scheme, 5800 homes in the Dominion had been offered to accommodate 6500 children. "The response of our people has been patriotically magnificent.” Mr Parry continued. "The work of listing the homes for the children is far from complete so that these figures I have quoted are not to be regarded as final’, but they indicate a keenness on the part, of the people of New Zealand to look after the young people from England." Petrol Rationing.

-It was a matter of groat disappointment to the unions to note the Government’s procedure in the reduction of coupon allowances at the end ot June." states the annual report of the North Island Motor Union regarding petrol rationing. "The Minister ot Transport visited a number of centres to discuss with representatives of various associations means whereby motorists could be encouraged to save petrol voluntarily and to ask for their assistance in securing the co-operation of A.A. members in this respect. The wishes of the Minister were readily agreed to and action commenced accordingly. Even as late as the day before the reduction was announced by the Acting Minister of Supply, the Minister of Transport was asking for and was promised assistance in the voluntary' scheme. Protests were communicated to the Government."