GOOD SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 92, 16 October 1934, Page 4

GOOD SERVICE

MOTORISTS PLEASED

ASSOCIATION'S YEAR

TAXATIOX QUESTION

General satisfaction with tho conduct of the affairs of tho Automobile Association, "Wellington, during the year* was expressed at the 29th annual meeting of the association held in the Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall last night. So harmonious was the meeting that it was only in the extent of warmth of appreciations of tho association, or wrath in criticism of taxation, that members differed at all. Some subjects which caused differences a couple of years ago were not even mentioned. The president (Sir Alexander Koberts) presided, and there were also present the chairman of the executive (Mr E. A. Batt), Mr. A. E. Anseil, M.P., and members of the executive. Congratulating the association upon the financial statement, the president said that they had finished the yeal with a most satisfactory credit balance, which must reflect the good_ will towards the association in the district. This was the more satisfactory, as tho times were still somewhat difficult. GOOD SERVICE GIVEN. Sir Alexander expressed admiration of tho patrol work done by officers during the past year. . These men had had an exceedingly difficult time. There had been most unusual falls of snow, and more recently floods in the Hutt Valley. They had a most excellent staff "of patrol"officers. In his opinion patrolmen should be put into small cars instead of. the obsolete motorcycle, on which even oilskins failed to keep the men dry. There was also the fact that tho best of service could not be rendered by men 'who faced biting winds unprotected. Ho believed that "Wellington was the only association in tho North Island still using motor-cycles for this work. Sign posting in the district was well carried out, continued Sir Alexander Eoberts. Certain precautions had been taken, but difficulties were growing, as some of tho west coast roada were reverting to the old "swamp roads" of the past. "Uneven surfaces" sometimes mentioned were in reality waves, which were becoming dangerous. The headlight problem had improved, but was still far from full solution. Some of the old cars were impossible to adjust to the- regulations. "Perhaps even the Goverrim6nt services may soon bo brought into line," remarked Sir Alexander, who stated that some of tho bus lights left much to be desired. TAXES AND KOADS. Touching on taxation, the president said that motor taxation yielded some £ 3,000,000 per annum. Of that sum, directly and indirectly, nearly £2,000,000 was being transferred to purposes for which it was never intended. In difficult times something must be done to help the Government, but one mnst come to tho conclusion that motorists were doing more than their share. The taking of that twothirds of taxation and diverting it to other purposes was the cause of considerable protest. It must not bo overlooked that the diversion of money from roads to tho Consolidated Fund meant the deterioration of roads, wliich meant extra expense to car owners. The longer that money was kept from its rightful purposes, the greater would be the wear and tear. Tho secretary had told him that the wear and tear cost at least £1,000,000 a year to the motorists of New Zealand. They should bring before the authorities the retransfer of a considerable portion of what was now being taken from the upkeep of highways. It was a source of gratification that tho associations now had a uniform name, said Sir Alexander. Personally he hoped that this was a step in the direction of having one body of control in New Zealand. Appreciating the bonefits of tho shipping service, he said he had heard cases of ladies travelling alone, who were told to go and dine, and they would find their cars on the ferry steamer when they had done so. One of the vexed questions in "Wellington was parking. There were few places where they were really allowed to park, but thanks to the traffic officers in the city they were usually able to find a place where they were left in peace. The association had had a moat successful year and had rendered valuable services to members. A PURGED ROLL. Mr. Batt, the chairman of the executive moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (already published) said that tho balance-sheet was verysatisfactory, considering that services had been rendered and even increased. It was tho first time in 27 years that it had been necessary to purge the roll. It did not reflect upon members who could no longer pay their subscriptions. It had been somewhat unfair to financial members to carry the expenses of unfinancial members. It was chieily finance which prevented the association equipping all its patrolmen with cars instead of motor-cycles. It was not in any case a very comfortable 30b, and the small car did not cost more than the evele and side-car. It reflected more "upon tho citizens of Wellington than upon members of the association than bo far .there was no Weihngton cunp site. Despite difficulties of lack 01 space, something could have been done. In Auckland they had spent a considerable sum in this way, and the money was regarded as a fine investment, and an asset to the city. Tho total cost of sign-posting ran into some £2000. Maintenance, owing to vandals, was high, but the highways were well posted and many of the side roads were completed. ]f sWn-posting were overdone it lost its value, as danger signals were apt to bo overlooked. He thought that direction posts should be erected by the city itself, but permission had been CLven for their erection and tho association had paid for them. At present the association's servicemen did not do repairs on tho load for the motorist as that was an invasion .of trade, ilie "get-von-homc" service that was to 1,0 instituted shortly would obviate this difficulty. . Mr Batt said that he disagreed with tho president who advocated one big association. Fancy s<T^ lg w lSton Auckland to be spent in Wellington. (Laughter.) England's case had been quoted, but the work was not done from London, but through nub-associations. Much depended on the maintenance 01 local interests. The city authorities apparently were averse to the rigid enforcement of harsh parking regulations, and traffic officers were most helpful. As a 7iiatter of fact Wellington had no traffic problems compared with otheft cities. ' . Mr Redgrave seconded the motion, which, after a general discussion, in which the Government's taxation methods were criticised and various minor suggestions were made, was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Tho election of officers resulted:— Patron, his Excellency Hie GovernorGeneral; president, Sir. Alexander Roberts; comniittefi, Messrs. B. A. Batt, H. W. Shortt, E. H. de J. Ore, A. J. Curtis, G. Dacre .Hamilton, B. P. Hay, E. Palliser, A. J. Toogood, and A. L. Warburton, and Dr. J. H. Graham Kobertson.| auditors,. Messrs, Jfotkisn, &2£t

Wheeler, and Johnston; solicitor, Mr. P. H. Putnam.

On the motion of Mr. E. Paliiser a rote of 100 guineas Tras made the chairman of the executive (Mr. E. A. Batt) for his services to the club during the past year.

A fnotion of appreciation of the of the chairman, executive, and staff was carried bjr acclamation,