MOTOR REGULATIONS

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1935, Page 2

MOTOR REGULATIONS

SIMPLIFICATION DESIRED

IS ANNUAL ISSUE NEEDED?

Inconvenience and waste of time resulting from redundancy in the existing motor regulations were discussed at the annual conference of the North Auckland Associated Chambers of Commerce at Dargaville yesterday. Mr H. F. Menzies introduced a remit from Whangarei that representations bo made to the Government to have the present system of motor vehicle registrations, licensing, etc., simplified, especially in respect of the multiplicity of forms used, and issuing authorities.

“You are dabbling in interference with local body administration,” said Mr F. A. Jones, “and that is a tough snag. Local bodies would object to Government control, and should always have a voice in fixing weight limits, for whose upkeep they are responsible.”

It was pointed out that the suggestion was for one issuing office, which might well be the local body, which could distribute the funds. “The scandalous overwork of the Post Office prompted me to second the proposition,” said Mr P. Walker (Ruawai).

“We do not like to be badgered and humbugged about the filling up of these forms every year,” said Mr J. Thornton (Kaitaia), who suggested the same principle as followed in the Old Country, , where car plates opce issued, remained in use for the whole life of the vehicle. Under the present complicated system, private motor ownei-s, who represented 95 per cent, of those involved, simply took their forms to competent garage officials, who filled in the necessary information. ;

The English system, said Mr H. H. Tonkin, was for the issue, of number plates, licence and third party risk insurance by a central authority. The fees were paid quarterly, and were higher than in New Zealand. “Why should the private owner have to fossick out the number of his engine and of his chassis every year?” asked Mr Berry. However, commercial vehicles were in a different category, and with varying weight limits, more frequent revisions were called for. “If a disc is adopted as in England,” said Mr H. L., Roberts, postmaster at Dargaville, “this Could be changed from one car to ber was the surest method of ensuring identification. . Unless engine and chassis numbers did not agree insurance companies would not pay claims. The extra particulars concerning horsepower sought ph. the fprhis issued this year, hinted at a census of cars. ■ Mr Menzies made it plain that no criticism of the Government was intended, but that. standardisation; was desired. . VThe remit was carried. • /