MOTOR UNIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1938, Page 5

MOTOR UNIONS

RESOLUTIONS PASSED. (Per Press Association—Copyright^. OAMARU, June. 18. A decision to ask the North Island Motor Union to join in a deputation to the Minister of Finance, asking for a reply to which correspondence had failed to yield, was reached by the South Island Motor Union yesterday.

The Unions waited on the Minister in September, asking for . a reduction of motor taxation which had assumed tremendous proportions, l't was stated 95,000.000 gallons were taxed in the past year, and it was expected to be 10(1,000,000 gallons in the coming year.

The Minister had promised to submit a considered reply, but nothing more had been heard from him.

Requests hv Unions for a reply had not even been formally acknowledged. Members expressed dissatisfaction that such important bodies be treated- in this manner.

The following remits wore adopted at the quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union:

Otago.— Where a member is transferred from one association to another, no apportionment or subscriptipn for the current year be paid to the association to which the member is transferred.

That regulations be amended so. that whenever a load on a vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more, there shall he displayed at the extreme rear end of the load at night a red light, visible five hundred feet, in addition to the taillight, and in daytime a rod flag.

The Union approved of the issue of driver’s licenses bv the Post Office, ami decided to oppose the day of grace alter May 31. for the fixing of new number plates but that the Minister lie asked to allow two days before May 31 for affixing plates.

It was decided unanimously that representations bo made to have intoxicated <1 rivers dealt with by Stipendiary Magistrates only. A rumoured proposal that the Government is permitting tin* establishment of a tyre manufacturing monopoly in New Zealand; was discussed at length. It was stated if any restriction of imports on the duty was increased, motorists would be compelled to buy probably inferior tyres, endangering lives. It was decided to co-operate will) the North Island in opposing a monopoly, if any restriction of imports or increased duty were imposed.