MOTOR CLUB REPORT

Evening Star, Issue 23378, 22 September 1939, Page 11

MOTOR CLUB REPORT

HEALTHY INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP

The upward trend in the membership, which has nearly doubled in two years, is a feature of the annual report of the Automobile Association (Otago). On August 31 there were 5,863 members, and it was hoped to exceed 6,000 by the time the annual meeting came round on September 28. The report ascribes the great increase to the progressive policy of the association, and to the good work being performed by staff and service officers. It proved, also, that motorists joined the organisation for the direct benefits obtainable, the report stated. The report reviews the year’s operation of the association, among the principal items of interest being the following:— ....... “Prior to the advent ot the Highways Board, the Government spent an average of £235,000 per annum for six years on our roads. The Highways Board has since had to pay an annual bill of £62,000 as interest on these amounts, and this is only one small interest bill being charged to the board. Loans raised for loading also account for a large interest charge, so that out of » total of 14 7-10 d per gallon duty paid the net amount received by the Highways Board is approximately 4d per gallon, the balance being absorbed by interest payments and the Consolidated Fund.

“Motorists can find no fault with the work of the Highways Board, the tremendous improvement in our roads bearing testimony to the good work of that body, but are we not, as a small (populated Dominion, expecting too much improvement and forgetting the load we are carrying? At the present rate of increase our interest accounts will soon absorb the total petrol taxation available to the board.

“ We acknowledge with thanks the good work being done by county councils throughout Otago, and note with pleasure the growing inclination for the amalgamation of some of these counties, but we regret to note that several of them still cling to the old idea of separate ridings and keep income and expenditure strictly charged to each riding. This definitely restricts and hampers the engineers in their tvork, and we trust the counties will soon eliminate this system.

“ The Finance Committee is very to report that, although heavy expenditure was incurred in connection with the expansion of activities, it is in a position to report that the association has shown a profit for the year. A considerable amount of the past year’s expenditure will be nonrecurring. The surplus transferred to the accumulated fund is £389 16s 9d.

“ The total signs of all types which have been erected this year to the date of the report, August 28, is 968; in addition' to this 878 colour bands have been repainted, and the association has in hand and ready for erection a further 302 signs to be placed in Central Otago. “ During the year 319 members of the association received assistance under the road service scheme, and 75 members of other associations were serviced by garages appointed by, the association.

“We must express extreme regret at the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, and only trust that the righteous cause for which Great Britain, France, and Poland are now fighting Germany will result in a speedy and satisfactory settlement of the Hitler-Prnssian regime. The executive has been working for some time completing arrangements to assist the authorities in case of emergency in. Otago, but it is sincerely hoped that this need will never arise. If it does members may rest assured that competent officials will have everything in. readiness.”