MOTORING INTERESTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 166, 9 April 1921, Page 12

MOTORING INTERESTS

CONFERENCE IN WILLINGTON VARIOUS QUESTIONS BISCUSSED A conference took place yesterday between representatives of the New Zealand Automobile Union and the South Island Motor Union, with a view to arriving at a> mutual understanding as to the best ways and means of dealing with matters of national importance to motorists. Representatives of the New Zealand Union were Dr. C. Prendergast Knight, Messrs. C. M. Banks, Ivan Wilson, L. R. Partridge, H. J. iStott, W. Beauchamp-Platts, W. Riehardson; South Jsland Union, Messrs. F. Johnston, A. Ansell.

Dr. Knight was elected to the chair. The conference agreed to ij general resolution as regarded .policy in approaching the Government and local bodies on matters of national importance to motorists. Each body should consult with the others before placing its views before the Government, and, wherever 'possible, fourteen days’ notice should be given, to enable an exchange of views to be made. The Minister should bo approached for an assurance that both bodies should bo heard on any deputation, and the same procedure should be followed in approaching local bodies on matters which were, or were likely to be, of national importance. The object of the resolution, it was explained, was to present a united front on all questions affecting their mutual interests, and that the views of both bodies should be heard in any representations made to public authorities. On the question of reading and taxation. Mr. Beauchamp-Platts outlined the general policy approved by motorists in conference. . First, there was the establishment of a National Road Board, non-political, and independent, funds to be furnished by taxation, as art present existing, taxation of road users, and certain increased subsidies by the Government, the road board to have general jurisdiction over the 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. regard to taxation, the policy was that it should be based on and not on (possession of a vehicle. Such taxation, so far, had been suggested on tyres, and about 15 per cent, ad valorem was proposed. This principle had been adopted and affirmed by previous conferences. It was generally agreed that the number of counties was excessive, and. should be reduced. The counties should carry on the work of road construction and improvement under the supervision of the National Road Board. The chairman asked if previous conferences had not supported the principle that main arterial roads should be constructed by the Government. Mr Beauchamp-Platts said this had been discussed, but not generally approved. The suggestion was made that the local bodies would be able to use the machinery procured for the main roads on their other works. Mr C. M. Banks said that each- local body had its own staff of skilled roadsmen, and there was no doubt that the counties could carry out the work more cheaply and effectively than the Government. _ . , Replacing Bridges.

It was agreed that bridges must be replaced right through the Dominion and Mr. C. M. Banks thought the weight of vehicles should be limited at once bv the county councils. Mr. Partridge, on the other hand, said the tendency was to supersede railway traffic by motor traffic. One had onlv to look at the spread of the motorcoach and ’bus throughout England. Enormous numbers of passengers were carried during the year. Mr. Beauchamp-Platts said the average wegiht of loaded lorries was eight tons, but it ran up to twelve tons. The importance o£ regulating the speed of heavy vehicles over bridges was urged by Mr. Johnston. The work of counties in road making was strongly criticised by Mr. Ansell, who said that in some cases both the en gineering staffs and the working staffs were not competent. t „i, n t The question was discussed as to what source of revenue should be aimed at. On the motion of Mr. Johnston, the conference decided to reaffirm the principle of taxation on motor tires, with no exemptions or rebates. The next point raised was whether there should be 'two national road boards-one for the North Island and one for the South Island-or simply one Johnston (S.T.) proposed that there should be two boards, costing of representatives of the Government the local bodies, and motoring o r K«»’isntions. Mr. Beauchamp-Platts sate. tliat J , idea was that there should be a head office with the Minister and the Departmental head' and the Chief Engineer and in each island there shoute be the Engineer-in-Chief for the island, the Chtef Surveyor, two of the Counties’ Association, 4ind. two renresentatives of motorists. Mr. Beau Ep-Platte moved that it bo a mendation to the Government that a roads board be set up on the gested, with a view that the work might proceed simultaneously. Allocat ‘°" , of funds might be based on the use of roads The Chief Engineer of Roads should be a special appointment, and so should the engineers and surveyors in charge for the North and South Islands. The motion was adopted unanimously. On the-motion of Mr. Banks, it was decided to ask the Government to take into consideration the question of the limitation of weight and speed of heavy motor vehicles, with special reference to their effect on bridges. Licensing of Drivers. The conference affirmed the necessity for annual licensing of drivers There should bo larger districts, said Mr. Johnston and definite centres for issuing licenses. Registration should be by police and fees nominal. There should ! ’ n adequate test of competence and ability to drive. The Stipendiary Magistrate only should have power to endorse, suspend, or cancel licenses. A bolder of a cancelled license should not be eligible for another license under three years from the cancellation, and. endorsement should be maintained for two years These points were embodied ’n tne 1 resolution. . 1 The chairman urged that every drivel of a vehicle licensed to carry passengers should be called on to produce a certificate of physical fitness whenever applying for a renewal of his license. A motion was adopted to this effect. On the question of the rule cf the road Mr. Johnston described in detail the conditions in Christchurch. He suggested bv way of a remedy that the onus be on the driver of a vehicle travelling along a road to keep a look out for all vehicles coming down roads intersecting on the right. A resolution, on the motion of Mr. Ansell, seconded by Mr. Banks, approving the proposed rule, was carried, and it was decided to ask the Minister to have it included in motor legislation. Tn reference to toll-gates, a motion of appreciation and thanks was earned to Mr L. Ashcroft Edwards for his very able report to the Wellington Automobile Club on the toll-gates in rarannki. The conference rrnffirmed its policy m regard to registration of vehicles. It was agreed that there should not only be annual registration, but that a permanent certificate of registration should be issued, to be annually renewed, and that distinctive marks should be carried bv the vehicle, corresponding to the indications in the certificate For any

breach, penalties should be severe. It should be compulsory for any sale to be notified and registered within a given time from the sale, under penalty. Marks of identification should be compulsory. A motion, covering these points, was adopted unanimously. After a brief discussion, the conference decided to leave the question of head-lights to a later date, when further information about progress made in America and Europe towards the solution of the problem might be available. A report of the conference, with the resolutions adopted, signed by. representatives of the two motor bodies concerned is to bo forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs.