REGISTRATION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 4

REGISTRATION.

TRADERS AND MINISTER. PRESENT SYSTEM TO CONTINUE. (rRES3 ASSOCIATION TELtGRAM.) WELLINGTON, June IS. Representatives cf motor interests and local bodies throughout the Dominion met at Parliament Buildings this morning to discuss the question of motor registration. Subsequently concrete proposals wcro made to the Minister of Internal Affairs and tlio Departmental view in defence of tho present registration system was advanced. The opinions "of tho various interests represented at tho conference were co-ordinated at a brief meeting prior to the meeting with the Minister (the Hon. E. F. Bollard), who submitted to the conference for consideration four main questions as follow: (1) Arc annual number plates to bo continued? (2) Aro plates to have local letters? (3) What is the most suitable colour for the plates to make them easily identified? (4) Is it feasible that a plate can be permanent and have some addition such as tho year to indicate that tho requirements of tho Act have boon fulfilled? "It is clear," said Mr Eollard, "that if local letters aro used it would be necessary to havo annual plates, as an owner might, and would in a great many cases, change his address, in which case the local letters would bo quito useless even for purposes of enquiry as to tho .state of the roads. A person cannot bo prohibited from changing his address, aud it is not practicable to issue new plates in cases only where a person has changed his address. If local letters aro to be adopted, it would certainly not bo practicable to have a letter in respect of each local authority. What system could therefore be adopted? Is it feasible to divide tho country into districts such as postal districts, highway districts or provincial districts? If there is to bo a now plate each year the colour will vary. The present colour of tho plates is duo to the fact that it was the only colour available." On behalf of tho conference, Mr H. L. Taplcy (Mayor of Dunedin) expressed thanks for the opportunity afforded them of discussing tho matter with the Minister. In tho first placo, ho said, tlio interests represented disapproved the colour and lettering on the present number plate. They wore pleased to hear that it was only adopted because time was tho essence of tho contract and because it was tho only one that could be procured speedily. Whilo mombcrs of tho conforenco wore not unanimous on all points, it had been decided in their deliberations that a majority decision should rule. They maintained that the colour of tho plate's should be black with white figuring, which was regarded as moro distinctive and moro readily picked up than any other system. The present groen plate was almost indiscernible from a short distance. Mr L. T. Watkins, representing the New Zealand Industrial Association said New Zealand manufacturers could offer several types of number plates. Ho urged support of local industry and the best possible opportunity of competing with the imported article Tho present system of registration was strongly dofended by Mr G. McNamara, First Assistant Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department. From tho point of view of tho Department there were no faults in tho system, wMeh was giving satisfaction to a lot of people and was operating economically. It had involved a lot of work, but ho contended that a good system had boon worked out. Ho was not in favour of the green plate, but pointed out that it was forced upon tho Dopartmont, as no other colour was available at the time. Tho Department recognised that good plates could bo made in Now Zoaland, but deliveries could not bo mado in t'imeV He saw no reason why tho plates should not bo mado in. tho Dominion, but ho wanted to deny that ho had obtained plates from America without regard for local industry. Mr McNamara opposed a permanent number plate. It had beon urged that temporary plates would cost £io,ooo per year. So far this year tho plates sold did not total as much as that. Considerable preference would have to bo given to tho local manufacturer to enable him to socuro the contrast. "Wo bolieve," Mr McNamara said, "that the annual system of registration is tho only really, practicable one." Tho objection to a pormanent number plate could bo summed up in many different ways. In tho first placo it had been said that it identified tho Car for all timo, but many cars wcro burnt or destroyed, and thcro was an opening under the permanent system for. tho plates to bo retrieved and attached to other unregistered cars, with a result that they would pass as registered for evermore. The permanent system was an excellent one for tho purposo of tracing cars. With over a hundred thousand motor vehiclos in tho country it would bo impossible for tho police to trace: offenders. The police declared that it would be dangerous,, therefore, to havo permanent plates. The Government wanted to close up a loopholo which had existed in the past whereby cars avoided registering and paying their license fees. Under Jho new registration system 10,899 cars had been placed on the books, whereas borough councils, county councils and other public bodies had d'stimated thero wero 65,000When Mr McNamara had concluded his speech the Minister stated that the matter would bo carefully considered by tho Department, which desired to do tho best for all concerned. Mr A. Cousins, a member of the deputation, summed up its views in tho words, "Lot us give the schemo a chance and carry on for a year or two before we suggest changes."