MOTOR REGISTRATION

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 258, 28 July 1934, Page 9

MOTOR REGISTRATION

Requirements of Act

ADVERTISING URGED Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, July 27.

Recent prosecutions of motorists in Palmerston North for not having their number plates affixed to their motorvehicles on and after June 1 was commented upon by the secretary of the Manawatu Automobile Association, Mr. S. I. McKenzie, in a statement to a “Dominion” reporter to-day. “Under the Motor Vehicles Act it is an offence to use a motor-vehicle on any road or street without the current registration plates affixed to the vehicle,” he stated. "The reason for this regulation being strictly enforced is on account of the fact that an unregistered vehicle carries .no insurance as the number plates ,are taken as evidence that the insurance •policy has been taken out. “In past years motorists have been in the habit of receiving a day’s grace, but this year I understand instructions were issued to prosecute every motorist who had not compiled in full with the regulations. Realising that motorists who did not comply with the law would be open to prosecution, this association issued a warning to members through its bulletin issued in May. We were unable to issue a warning to the general public, as the newspapers could not see their way clear to give publicity, maintaining, and rightly so, that the Transport Department should advertise the requirements of the Motor Vehicles Act. It is apparent that in certain cases the present regulations have caused, and will cause, considerable inconvenience, but in my opinion the matter could be remedied by requesting the authorities to (1) allow motorists to affix their plates on May 30 or 31, (2) to advertise the regulations in a similar manner to the annual advertisements of the Land and Income Tax Department. It is our intention to request the North Island Motor Union to take this matter up with the Transport Department.