MOTOR CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20339, 21 August 1929, Page 13

MOTOR CONFERENCE.

THE; NORTH ISLAND. .UNION.

ACTIONS OF GOVERNMENT.

EULOGY AND CRITICISM. A eulogy of tho Government in connection with tho establishment of the Ministry of Transport is offset by a strong criticism of Sir Joseph Ward's move to reduce tho revenue of tho Main Highways Board in tho report of the North Island Motor Union to bo submitted at the annual meeting to bo held in Auckland next Friday.

The report states it is felt that, with the appointment of a Minister of Transport, the interests of tho motorists generaliy will be conserved, for the reason that the institution of tho new Ministry will have tho effect of consolidating all motoring matters. Tho union had received every encouragement and help from the Minister, tho Hon. W. A. Veitch, and as a result of several deputations tho executive was satisfied that ho would extend to motorists, through the union, his heartiest support. "We feel that a long-felt want has now been filled, and the Primo Minister is to be, congratulated on tho advanced step taken," the report adds. "Tho Minister has intimated his anxiety to further our interests in every possible direction, and to this end has expressed his willingness to consult the union on matters of importance before taking any definite step. The institution of a transport advisory board is, in our opinion, a step in the right direction." Reference is also mado to the fact that the Minister of Transport is engaged in reviewing motor legislation with a view to removing anomalies and superfluous clauses. It is suggested that since the legislation is in a process of amendment harsh criticicm should be suspended.

In connection with the Prime Minister's intimation that the usual £200,000 would not be furnished from the Public Works Fund for main highway financing, tho report states that a deputation which waited on Sir Joseph Ward on July 26 received little definite encouragement. The report also states that the Primo Minister was approached regarding a rumour that a raid might also be made on the petrol tax. It continues as follows: — "The customs duties for the year ended March 31, 1929, on motor-cars and accessories provided the huge sum of £1,141,734, and this amount goes into the Consolidated Fund. It cannot bo too forcibly expressed to delegates that if the petrol tax is used for other than the improvement and upkeep of tho roads, it strikes at the very root of motor taxation and should bo strongly opposed, and united efforts should be made by motorists throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand to preserve our rights. This is a matter which wo think can bo advantageously handled by the advisory board, and we commend the matter to its senous and immediate attention."