MOTOR PLATES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1926, Page 3

MOTOR PLATES.

NEW SUPPLY HELD TIP.

WELLINGTON, March 16.

The Hon R. F. Bollard states that owing to difficulties which tho contractor lias experienced in his machinery there will he a- delay in the manufacture' of new motor plates. The present green and white plate must continue to he used until the new plates supply is• available. It will he neces-

sary to defer lor a month or two the collection of the annual fee for new vehicles registered on and after April 1. Green and white plates will be supplied until further notice. ’I hose will be replaced later free of charge by now plates. He hopes he can rely in the circumstances on the indulgence of motorists and all local controlling authorities.

[Under the Motor Vehicles Act all owners of petrol-propelled vehicles should have obtained new licenses and number plates by April I. It was intended to allow one month’s grace,

and take action against owners of cars bearing the obsolete green and white plates after April JO. The depot lit the Wellesley Street Post Office has. been ready to begin work immediately the plates come to hand. It is considered now that the plates will not he ready for issue before the end of the month. Under these circumstances the registering authorities throughout New Zealand will allow motorists until May 31 to effect relicensing. The delay is stated to he due to trouble with the machinery used for the manufacture of tho plates. The green and white plates now expiring were imported from. America, and were sold to motorists for 2s a pair. This caused a- strong agitation for the manufacture of the plates in the Dominion. When it was finally decided that the plates for 1020 would be black and white, tenders were sought. A Canadian firm offered to supply 1 dates at a. price which would have enabled their issue to motorists at Is (id a pair. A Wellington factory quoted a price that meant charging motorists 2s fid a pair, on the basis of n supply of 150.000 pairs ol plates. The Canadian article would have cost Cl 1,250 as against C 15.750 for the accepted New Zealand tender. The dilfereuee of COSOO represented the cost to motorists of supporting local industry. The Wellington contractor imported a special machine to manufacture the plates, and it is apparently from this direction that the lmld-up has occurred. Tt is interesting to observe that, tbe motor number plates issued io many American States are manufactured in the prisons.]