MOTORING.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16985, 6 November 1920, Page 5

MOTORING.

e SOUTH ISLAND UlftoN. The Executive Committer of the- South Island Motor Union met on Thureday i nifjht. Present—Messrs I'". IV. Johnston (chairman), A. E. Aneell (Ditnedin), N. M. Orbcll, F. V, Thomas, W. H. Ben. c on, and J. S. Hawker. Arising out of the suggestion made at the previous meeting that a badge should be provided, the chairman .stated that he had mentioned the matter at ' the latest • held meeting of the Canterbury Automobile Association, and members appeared to be favourably disposed toward® tho proposition. It was decided to bring- up the question and also tho proposal to affiliate with the R.A.C. at tho quarterly meeting of tho Union to be held at Dunedin on tho 29th inst. Tho Canterbury Automobile Association forwarded ft letter from Dr. Stevens regarding' level railway crossings, and drawing attention to tho American plan of providing a. runaway alongside railway lines to give an opportunity of preventing 1 a head-on collision. » . . Ths chairman referred to previous action taken in this matter, and said that the adoption of the American plan, or something similar, would have waived three or four lives in the North Island. It was decided to refer the letter for consideration at the quarterly meeting, and in tho moan time, to jLScertain what happened to certain suggestions made on the subject fiome time ago. ■ It was decided to supply information asked for by the Town Clerk of Waimato, regarding agnals by mo tor isle. Tho interim reports fiom tho sub-com-mittees 6ct up on. roading and taxation wero received. Tho South Canterbury sub-com-mittee reported having agreed to the following:—"That tho most equitable way of collecting tho tax on motors would bo by taxing tyres, and that a tax of 5 per cent, bo collected by'tho Customs Department, and that Road Boards bo set up for the Iforth and South Islands, which will receive the money from the Customs Department and-decide how it shall bo spent." The ChristchuTcn section of the committee recommended that :i Board of Control bo formed for each Island [or the purpose of making and maintaining .ill c.rterial roads; that its funds bo derived from : (a) A tax on tyres; (b) a fair quota from local bodies interested (this quota to be leeided bv ;i commission); and (c) from :he Consolidated Fui>d. That the Boards of Control consist of nominees of tho Government, local bodies', and motorists. That tho apportioning' of the tax collected -bo based on tho number of motor vehicles xu use in each. Island respectively.. , . Mr Ansell said that the Otago 60cti0ff9 report had not been reduced to writing. It would be much on the same line® as the Christchurch report. . Tho interim reports are to be considered by the whole committee, which will submit i report to the quarterly meeting. Mr Ansell stated that tho Otago, iiotor Cl'ib had been in communication with tho Southland Motorists' Club with the view of fottinff it to affiliate with tlw Union. It was probable that there would be something definite to report to the quarterly meeting.