MOTOR VEHICLES

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 29, 3 August 1927, Page 14

MOTOR VEHICLES

REGISTRATION QUESTION

SYSTEM CRITICISED

- The system of motor registration in vogue in -New Zealand at the present time was roundly condemned by Mr. D. Jones (Ellesmere)^in the House of Eepresentatives yesterday afternoon. Under the present system, he said, number plates had to be changed every year, and the cost was enormous. It was a cost that would not be tolerated in any other Department than the Department of Internal Affairs. "Supposing other taxpayers had to wear a badge showing that they had paid their taxes," said Mr. Jones. "Why the Uiing would be absurd. Yet motorists are forced to have a new number plate every year in order to show that they have paid their dues." Mr. Jones said it was costing £52,000 per annum to register cars. That- was money which should be going into the roads of the country, which were in a very, unsatisfactory condition.

_ Mr. J. B. Hamilton (Awarua) said it would be much preferable if there was a petrol tax, which, besides being easier to collect, would produce more revenue.

Mr-J. Horn (Wakatipu) said there should be greater facilities for registration, taking out licenses, etc. All licenses should be* payable to one office in each district. . Drivers' licenses should be made renewable at any post office in the Dominion.

„ The Minister of Lands (the Hon. A 'D. M'Leod) said, that if the system was for taxation purposes the cheapest method possible must be devised for collecting the moneys. In five cases out of six, other countries had adopted the same system as New Zealand^ Owners of cars did not seem to appreciate what had been done for their protection by registration, which enabled valuable cars to be traced. Probably the penalty for theft of cars, in the minds of many people, was not sufficiently severe. Registration was a thing car owners should be prepared to pay for, because of tie benefit they derived. Mr. M'Leod went on to draw a parallel in regard to the branding of sheep. .

Mr. D. Jones: "You don't earmark them every year." .

"If I did not look very closely at the honourable member," said the Minister, "I might have to brand them." (Laughter.) \ .

Replying to the discussion, the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon.R. F. Bollard) said he did not think registration plates could' be made available more cheaply. Mr. Jones had said the cost of affixing number plates was 2s Gel each, but the Minister said he would not mind having a contract at 2s- per plate. . ' '