TOURISTS WITH CARS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 20 January 1928, Page 6

TOURISTS WITH CARS

SIR B. FULLER’S- COMPLAINT.

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA.

AUCKLAND, Jan. 18. “The position is that our m«: are worse off in regard to New than Australians ar ® m Ji e f a ,*; n 6ec - Zealand,” said Mr G. Hutchiso , retary of the Auckland Association, this morning, in irepg to criticism by Sir Benjamin fuller concerning the barriers he haU eii countered when bringing ins motor ca into the Dominion. When .the landed his car he was required to deposit £250 in cash, a substantial bond to ensure that the requirements ot the Customs laws would be fulfilled. According to Mr Hutchison, SII X impositions are made in cases v motorists visit the Commonwealth, but so far as Auckland is concerned satisfactory .arrangement for the landing or cars can be made with the Customs, Dopartment, providing the visitor produces a bond from his home association .and has it supported on this side by one from the Auckland Automobile Association. The Government, however, has made no provision tor tne overseas visitor bringing his car in o the Dominion without credentials, and he is compelled to lodge duty on it. BONDS SUGGESTED.

“If Sir Benjamin 1- uiler had gone to the National itoads and motor Association ui oydney and earned from tnein ills membership credentials under our arrangement, we would have luinished a bond to the Customs authorities, and he would have hud his car on the road within an hour,” said Ml Hutchison in paying a tribute to the department for the manner in which it lacditates the landing and handling of cans that come to i\ew Zealand in this way. When in Auckland some time ago, Mr Hutchison discussed with tne N.R.M.A. the question of it making endeavours to have amendments effected to the existing legislation in Australia which requires motorists from New Zealand who use their cars in the Commonwealth to deposit Customs duty payable on them. Only within the past few days he has written the association urging it to discuss the matter at the conference of automobile associations at Hobart. “In i\ew Zealand we are able, by furnishing a bond to the Customs Department, to arrange for Australian motor tourists to use their cars in New Zealand without depositing duty, and we naturally wish for reciprocity,” lie wrote. “No doubt if your conference forwarded a resolution to the Federal Department of Customs, the department will get in touch with our Customs Department with a view to making satisfactory arrangements that will facilitate the tourist traffic between the Commonwealth and the Dominion.” AUCKLANDER’S EXPERIENCE.

An indication of the difficulties experienced by motorists visiting Australia was given to the Star by an Aucidand resident who spent the Chris imas holidays m the Commonwealth, and returned by the last trip of the Niagara. Before leaving he made inquiries and understood that on arrvvil in Australia he would have to lodge practically a third of the value of his car. Therefore, he did not take it with him. On arrival at Sydney he procured a car, .and found that the authorities there refused to accept the driving license issued by the Auckland City Council. He had to* go through another driving test, and paid 10s for a Sydney license.