CONFERENCE OF MOTORISTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17115, 9 April 1921, Page 8

CONFERENCE OF MOTORISTS.

NATIONAL QUESTIONS CONSIDERED. (PRESS association telegram.) Aprii 8: A conference is being held to-day between representatives of the • Now Zealand Automobile Union, and tho South Island Motor Union, with a view to arriving at a mutual understanding as to tho best means of dealing with matters of national importance to motorists. Tho conference agreed to a general resolution regarding the policy in approaching the Government and local bodies tuat each body should consult with the other before placing its views before' the Government, and that, whenever possible, 14 days' notice should be given to enable an exchange of views to be made. • It was. decided that the Government should bb approached for an assuranco that both bodies should bo heard on any deputation ,and that the same procedure should be followed in approaching local bodies on matters which are, or are likely to be, of national importance. It was generally agreed that the number of counties was excessive, and should be reduced. It w ; as decided to reaffirm the principle of taxation on motor tyres, without exception. The establishment of a National Boad Board of a non-political and independent character wak suggested, funds to be furnished by taxation'as at present of. road users, and certain increased subsidies by the .Government, the Board to have general jurisdiction over roads. This Board would generally supervise the work of road construction and maintenance, and would consist of a limited number of persons,., including two thoroughly capable' engineers. In rcgai'd to taxation, the policy was that it should be based on usage and not on possession of a vehicle. Such taxation so far had been suggested on tyres, and übout 1.5 \per cent, ad valorem was proposed. The principle had been adopted, and affirmed by a previous conference. ' . * / Regarding the right of the road, the matter hatl been dismissed by tho Otago ■ Motor Club. It was generally agreed that there should be a- definite rule of the road," so that in tho case of two cars on intersecting roads, ono or other should have tho right of. the road. A man coming in from the right should have the right of the road. Strangers in a district .would not know which were main and which were\ subsidiary roads, but sueh a rule would meet the case. Tlio conference reaffirmed its policy in regard to 'the registration of vehicles. , ft was agreed that there should not only bo annual registration, but that a permanent certificate of registration should • bo' issued, ,to bo annually renewed;_ that distinctive marks should bo carried by vehicles corresponding to indications in the certificate. For any breach the penalties should be severe. It should bo compulsory lor any sale to be notified and registered within a given time from the sale, under ,n penalty. Marks of identification should be compulsory.