For Better Motoring

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 236, 6 October 1936, Page 8

For Better Motoring

MANAWATU ASSOCIATION’S

SOLID PROGRESS.

“This association has been in tho happy position of having no trouble of any serious nature in its organisation since its inception,” declared Mr N. H. Mackie, when presiding over the annual meeting of the Automobile Association (Manawatu) last evening. Had there been any serious discord, there would probably have been a packed house for tho annual meeting instead of the moderate attendance which had been experienced for several years past. The report (previously published) and balance-sheet were adopted. Highways Board Appreciated. Mr Mackie said he would like to pay a high tribute to the Main Highways Board, which for several years past had worked under financial difficulties. With the taking over by the Government of 4000 miles of roads as State highways, the work of the Main Highways Board, both for maintenance and construction, must increase. The meeting should not close without a record of appreciation to the board, and to the motorists’ representative, who had done excellent work.

Attitude to Taxation.

Answering a question as to tho policy of the association regarding taxation matters, tho chairman said that these matters were dealt with officially by the motor unions of the two islands, lhese unions had repeatedly urged a reduction in petrol taxation as s#on as possible, and had pointed out the inequity of a procedure whereby the motorists virtually paid interest on money raised by taxation on motoring. At the same time it was only fair to point out that tho motorists could not expect to receive more new highways, more bridges, and a better standard of maintenance and construction, and at the same time to obtain a drastic reduction of taxation. The most satisfactory feature of motor taxation for some time was the assurance of the present Government that it recognised that petrol taxation should bo applied o those purposes for which it was originally levied. With regard to other forms of taxation, such as heavy traffic dues, a suggestion had been made that a single motor tax, such as a petrol tax, should be levied. Until the Government’s policy was announced, the motor unions could not announce their policy, but motorists could be sure from past experience that their interests would be defended.

The growth of motoring was such that motorists could fairly ask either that the petrol tax bo reduced or that all the money raised by this means should be paid into the Main Highways Fund, for the construction of better roads. A bulletin prepared by the Automobile Association showed that taxation on motor vehicles last year amounted to £2O, of which £7 was used for highways, and £l3 for other purposes not directly associated with motoring.

Election of Officers,

Officers elected were: —Patron, Mr A. E. Mansford; president, Mr N. H. Mackie; vice-president, Mr R. T. Jaggard; committee (five vacancies), Messrs W. H. Brown, H. E. Edmunds, C. N. Kabone, T. M. N. Rodgers, H. N. Rowe; solicitors to the association, Messrs T. F. Reliing and J. W. Rutherfurd; auditor, Mr J. B. Jennings; secretary, Mr S. I. McKenzie. Tributes were paid to Mr Mackio for the very lino work he has accomplished as president of tho association. Mr Mackie said that in no other position he had held had he enjoyed associations so pleasant as those he had experienced in tho association. In eight years of committee work he had appreciated an entire absence of acrimony in the discussions of the association. lie had striven to avoid parochial views and to consider at all times the national interests of motoring. He envisioned the day when there would be one association, not only for each island, but for the whole of New Zealand. The roading system of the Dominion, considering its popualtion, was excellent, and real co-operation had been established between tho automobile associations and the heads of departments entrusted with the expenditure of funds on highways work. The coming year for the association promised to be an increasingly active one with more taxing duties on committee and staff, but continued cooperation would ensure the efficient service for which the association had become noted.

The Ideal Staff,

Tributes were paid to the secretary and staff for their splendid attention to a rapidly growing volume of work, and also to the service officer.

Mr Rodgers pointed out a difficulty in existing law whereby a motorist who collided with Pandering stock had no right of action against the owner of the animals unless he could prove that they were on the road through nis negligence. That was almost impossible to do. Mr Rodgers said the matter should be drawn to tho notice of the North Island Motor Union, which could, if it deemed fit, seek an amendment of the law.

Appreciation was recorded by the meeting of the services to motoring of Mr A'. Grayson, retiring president of the Automobile Association (Auckland). Thanks were expressed to retiring committee members. \

At a subsequent meeting of the committee, various sub-committees were appointed to further the work during tho year. Consideration is to bo given to the draft regulations that have been submitted by the Transport Department.

Future meetings will be on the third Monday of each month.