DERATING OF FARM LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20605, 2 July 1930, Page 14

DERATING OF FARM LANDS.

Sir, —Mr. fi. \V. Hutchison, Auckland Automobile Association secretary, stated the other day that approximately only one-third of the city motorists go touring. _ By this, naturally, we infer that, ho wishes to give the impression that the remaining two-thirds of the city motorists never or seldom leave city boundaries. Every favourable week-end thousands of Auckland's citizens run out in their cars north, east, south and west; and yet Mr. Hutchison would have us believe that the cars never or seldom use country roads. Assuming the acceptance of Sir. Hutcbison's statement; what wonder then that our city councils are unable to cope with street maintenance. Tho marvel is thero are any streets left at ail. Citizens of Auckland and other towns with municipal': owned transport systems, would do well to make more uso oi same, rather than keep American motor-cars to park round city blocks, incidentally aggravating traffic congestion. Then those who should not and cannot own mctor-cars less difficulty in meeting more necessary obligations. Finally, another observation bv Mr. Hutchison calls for comment. This is in regard to signboard erecting, which, as he said, has been extensively carried out by the Auckland Automobile Association. Bui he adds that this has saved -thousands of pounds to the farmers. The farming community as a whole wero quite content to jog along without elaborate sign-posting; they, according to Mr. Hutchison, being tho solo users of the roads. With all respect to the secretary and tho association, may I ask* how lorn; the Auckland Automobile Association has t: ken to itself the offices of a benevolent society ? I was not before aware thai, pure philanthropy was made so much a, part of its useful work. T.B.