AUTOMOBILE UNION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 227, 19 June 1919, Page 5

AUTOMOBILE UNION

ANNUAL REPORT '

RIGHTS OF CAR OWNERS

The sixth annual general meeting of this New Zealand Automobile Union will be held in Wellington on Friday, Juno :'(. Tho annual report, which will be submitted to the wotting, conlainsj\ inter alia, the following:— "There hns bten ii tendency of lato for certain local authorities to endeavour to establish within their own territory a eystom of taxation of motor-cars, the proceeds of which are to be applied to road maintenance. Such , action is, in the opinion of this union, highly objectionable, if not entirely irregular, and must inevitably lead to confusion and injustice, as there exists no uniformity in th« proposals, nor any guarantee that tho money so extorted will be properly applied. This is a matter entirely for Parliament, which is the only body properly qualified to impose taxation. Any system decided upon should be equitable as to its incidence, general in its application, and tho revc'nuo so raised should be applied in benefit of those on whom it w levied. If this principle-is recognised (as it must be) then all users of roads, irrespective of class, must contribute and benefit. This union must take steps to check tho irregularities complained cf. It is imperntivo that the union should show a united front, and devise and submit a system generally applicable. "A matter of very considerable importance which must now engage the most careful consideration of the union is tho question of headlights. Speaking in general terms it ie better to define. the 'beam' or 'class of light' allowable than to insist upon the use of any particular device. Suoli a light should be carefully defined, ami all devices should be tested by regulation, and if found satiffaotory should bo licensed a 6 giving sn 'approved' beam. The users of such,'approved' devices could not then ho sub. iect to any action by their use. Thu licensing should be in the hands of com petent authority. By this means alone would satisfactory be brought about, and incompetent authority checked. The secretary of the union has arranged a series of tests, for headlights and dimming devices, by Professor Clark, the Professor of Physics at Victoria Collego, Wellington, A report on these tests will be submitted to the annual meeting for consideration.

"The extraordinary growth of motor traffic has brought with it an increase of street accidents mid dangers, and it is evident that steps will have to be taken shortly to cope with the matter. The precautions to be taken may be classjd under two heads—(l) regulation of Iho traffic, so that speed, etc., is reasonable, and (2) the education of the public in the direction of taking more care.

"The executive notices with niuch pleasure the formation of an Automobile Association for Nelson. The responsibility for this- excellent move appears e to rest upon Mr. T. Maumsell, formerly of Carterton, and a most enthusiastic member of the Wairarapa body. The new body will have a problem to tackle at once owing to the action of tho Waimea County Council's proposal to tax motorcars in the manner i referred to under the heading of irregular taxation. It is understood that amongst other matters to be dealt with will be the question of establishing an insurance scheme similar to that in force in the Wairarapa. "Tho Wellington City Council's motor inspector (Mr. Drake) is a strong supporter of the annual registration of , all motor vehicles, on English lines. Here the registration fee is 10s. (laid down by and it is lor all time. At Homo the registration fee is ill, and after that there is an annual tax according to the horse-power of the car. ' In view of the proposal (advocated by this union) fort the raising of a reasonable annual fax, or license, this union ehould further consider if' annual registration is desirable, if it desires to keep a better check registration, the law needs amending with reference to tho/comp.uleory re-registratio'ti on every sale or transfer, and fixing tho responsibility for euch registration on the vendor. By carrying this registration a step furthei and creating a modified form'of 'certificate of title,' readily transferable, whicli must be produced when registration is made, an effective check is placed on the. car thief, as without such a certificate he tannot 'give a title' to what ho seeks to sell, nor can he, as the vendor, effect transfer of registration. Perhaps, by some modification of the registration' certificate it could be made to act also as a. 'certificate of title.'

"Recent inquiries made of members of the Government indicate that there is not a very bright prospect of l , nny sweeping legislation being brought forward this session. There is apparently no new Motor Hill on the stocks. In view _of the uncertainty regarding the position of the National Government, it is thought -unlikely that anything more than the most urgent amendments to existing laws will be attempted. "Tie executive desires to record its very keen appreciation of the magnificent service rendered by all members in connection with returning soldiers.' It is to their lasting credit and that of the association they represent." Some of the remits to bo submitted for discussion■ are given below:— "That until a national policy dealing with the maintenance and improvement of arterial roads is adopted, the Minister bo asked to veto any by-law by any local authority for the taxation of motors."

"That in the event ol legislation being passed- providing for the, taxation of motors, the union urges that motors should thereupon become exempt from further taxation by local bodies under the Counties Act, 1D15." ,',

"That, the union urges that local bodies (Should 'have power to order tho trimming or removal of trees on corners of roads where such trees, iby ob'structing the yiow, are calculated to cause accidents on highways." '■ "To invite an expression of opinion Vy the union on (a) The proposed new road' from Wellington to i'aekakariki, via Pukerua, In order to avoid the elevation at Paekakariki; and (b) on the possibility of a deviation over' the Einiutaka, in view of the fact that both these roads constitute tho main highway from Wellington."

"To discuss the proposed construction of a main arterial war memorial highway from Auckland to the Bluff." "To urge upon tho Government the necessity for amending the existing law by making it a criminal offence to uso or appropriate a motor-car belonging to another person." "That in view of tho large number of motor accidents in connection with bridges painted black, if is desirable that all bridges bo painted white." ''That the union arrange for the issue of charts indicating the lino of travel for motor-cars to follow when approaching and turning in road and street iulersections."