The Record
Message from CAPT. THE RT. HON. LORD TEYNHAM, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N (Retd.) Chairman of The Automobile Association of Great Britain.
(source: 'The Record', November 1954)
The Automobile Association of Ceylon and The Automobile Association of Great Britain have so many things in common and such similarity of purpose that we are distinguishable mainly by the distance which separates us. It would be invidious to speak in terms of size alone when service today is the underlying principle and the success of the existence of any motoring organization. To draw a parallel, how else would the ocean going liner get on its way without the help of the powerful little tug, partnerships and partnership is the relation between one Federal AA and the other with the accent on reciprocal service.
The healthy growth of your Association tells its own story through the past half-century and we see today in the AAC, one of the most progressive and active Associations in the East - your patrols and roadside telephone boxes, your Free Legal Defense and technical service,. your touring and signposting activities, to mention but a few and with this, while ever vigilant of the welfare of the Ceylon motorist you represent, you have retained the respect of the authorities with whom you cooperate daily in the interests of safety on the roads and the improvement of motoring conditions generally.
Since 1927, when your official organ "The Record" first appeared, we in Britain have been able to follow more closely the manner in which the well-being of the Ceylon motorist is so effectively served by the A.A C. and if I may avail myself of this opportunity of conveying a message to the road user who is not a member but benefits indirectly by the efforts of the AAC., I would say "Join but Join now!" A larger membership represents more power to the Association, more scope and more benefits to the individual motorist.
In paying tribute to those few enthusiastic motorists who, on the 12thNovember, 1904, came together in the Queen's Hotel, Kandy, and started the AAC., I am joined 50 years later by my colleagues on the Executive Committee of the AAG.B., and by the staff, to send a message of congratulations and a cordial expression of friendship and well-being to all the members, the officers and staff of the Automobile Association of Ceylon. May this be a signal milestone in your history and a continuous straight road to still more progress and success with many more happy motoring years ahead of you all.
