FARM TRACTORS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 285, 29 August 1935, Page 10

FARM TRACTORS

Exemption From Registration

Advocated

The exemption of farm tractors from registration was advocated in a resolution carried by the Dominion executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday. The question was raised by Mr. W. W. Mulholland (Canterbury), who pointed out that by regulations issued under legislation passed last session a farmer had had “to trail a number-plate behind his tractor up and down his paddocks.’’ In replying to previous representations by the union the Minister of Transport had stated that the reason for requiring registration of a tractor, if used on the road, was that, even if such use be only occasional, there arose the danger of traffic accident, and the registration assisted, in identifying the tractor, and also ensured that the third-party insurance against such accident would lie obtained. After the first registration fee of £1 was paid, the only other payment would be 10/per annum for third-party insurance and 2/- per annum for registration plates. Mr. Mulholland said the prospects of a third party being involved in a tractor accident were almost negligible ,aml it meant that the insurance companies would receive £2OOO by way of premiums without carrying any liability.

The executive decided to press for amendment to the regulations so as to exempt tractors from registration.