FOR MOTORISTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 December 1924, Page 5

FOR MOTORISTS

NEW REGULATIONS

IGNORANCE OF THE LAW.

WILL BE NO EXCUSE

That ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it is a wellknown axiom. The Minister of Internal Affairs is certainly not going to allow motorists generally to be under any misapprehension as to their obligations under the new motor regulations. He'gave the Star’s reporter in Wellington this morning an outline ,-of the main provisions of the amendment to the Act, and it would' appear that motorists in their trials and tribulations will have to appeal to officers of the Post and Telegraph Department, who, with their usual courtesy, will no doubt be happy to give any information that may be required. (By Telegraph—Special to Star.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 12. Motorists expect during the New Year to comply with a number of additional controlling regulations, all involving direct taxation. The fust of these regulations detailing the motor registration scheme was gazetted today, and the Hon. Mr Bollard (Minister Of Internal Affairs) informed your correspondent that there are more to follow. The next of the series will relate to the licensing of drivers. Hon. Mr Bollard stated to your correspondent that, recognising the importance of regulations to the motor fraternity, he had hoped to -have provisions issued at the beginning of the present month, and he regretted that that had been impossible. There was always a great deal of work involved in bringing into operation any new system, and the laying out of a method of registration of motors that would be as simple as it was complete had required much careful consideration. “The regulations give a start,” said the Hon. Mr Bollard, ‘‘to the long waited for control, of motor vehicles in the Dominion. Before recommending the Adminis-trator-in-Council to give his signature to the regulations they had, in addition to a scrutiny given to them by the Hon. J. G. Coates and himself, been passed by the executive council of New Zealand Motor Unions, which had approved of their provisions. I propose sending copies of the regulations and of the Act to local bodies, motor unions and others interested. Any enquiries connected with the licensing and registration of vehicles should be made to the Post and Telegraph Department. I look for success in the administration of the regulations, and feel they will give satisfaction to all parties.” Questioned as to the appointment of officers provided for under the Act, the Hon. Mr Bollard said that a registrar of motor vehicles, also deputy-regis-trars, would be appointed at an early date. It was proposed that the duties of those offices shall, he carried out by officers of -the Post and Telegraph Department. The regulations do not deal comprehensively with all matters set out in the Act ; they are issued mainly to put into operation the first phase of licensing and registration. Summarised the principal clauses of the regulations are: Every application for the registration of motor vehicles shall be in a form set out in the schedule. A certificate of registration will be then issued. Distinguishing marks are to he kept affixed to any registered motor vehicle. The number shall be exhibited on two plates which shall, save as provided with respect to motor cycles, he fixed, one on the front and the other on the back _of motor vehicles in an upright position, 6o that every letter and figure on the plate is upright and easily distinguished.

In case of a motor cycle the registration plate fixed on the front of the cycle may, if it has duplicate faces, he fixed so that from whichever side of the motor cycle it is viewed the letters and figures on one or other face of : the plate shall be easily distinguished, though they may not he distinguishable from the front of the motor cycle. On completion of the registration .and licensing of a motor vehicle the deputy-registrar shall supply to the owner the appropriate " registration plates. A charge sufficient to cover cost of such plates may be made. Notice of the destruction of any motor vehicle, or of its permanent removal from New Zealand, changed ownership, or of the fact that the motor has become permanently useless, is required to he given to the deputyregistrar.