MOTOR NUMBER PLATES

Evening Star, Issue 22146, 28 September 1935, Page 30

MOTOR NUMBER PLATES

GOST GUMMED TO BE EXCESSIVE . [Pkr United Press Association.! . CHRISTCHURCH, September 27. Criticism of the price charged each year for new motor number plates was expressed by a resolution passed at the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union .to-night. The union, at the same time, affirmed its support in the meantime to the system of the- annual renewal of number plates. Mr H. Hay (North Otago)_ moved that the union should declare itself in favour of the present system of the annual renewal of motor number plates. The system, ho claimed, was very efficient. Mr C. M._ Rout (Nelson), who seconded the motion, said that the annual renewal of number, plates made the insurance system watertight. Mr W. A. O’Callaghan (North Island) said that the North Island Union was in favour of the present system. Mr F. \V. Freeman: Why should not the Government give us plates for nothing? “ It was understood in the early days of the system that these plates were to be distributed at cost,” said Mr A. Grayson. “The cost at first was higher than it is now r . When the cost is about 10id a pair motorists do not mind paying Is, but why should they pay 2s? The Post and Telegraph Department is being doubly paid for their distribution.” Mr P. W. Preen (Otago) favoured the district system of number plates or the English system with a sticker for each year. Mr A. E. Halt said that the Post Office in live or six years had made out of the motorists a profit, of £IOB,-000,-to which it'was not entitled. It received Is (id on every license out of the Main Highways Fund, Is profit on every number plate;' and 6d on each transfer. On the motion of Mr F. J. Williams,’ .seconded by Mr J. Haigh, an amendment that no action should he taken in the meantime about the method of indication was carried. On the motion of Mr Haigh, seconded by Mr G. Norris, it was decided that the executive should join with the North Island Motor Union in investigating the cost of motor registration with the intention of having the price of the number plates reduced to cost. A letter was received from the registrar of motor vehicles reviewing the systems of motor registration in use in various overseas countries. A further letter stated that proposals were in hand to amend the Act to enable owners to attach new number plates two days before the expiry of the year.