MOTOR LICENCE PLATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22226, 28 September 1935, Page 15

MOTOR LICENCE PLATES

OBJECTION TO THE COST POST OFFICE'S PROFITS CRITICISM BY UNION [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Friday Criticism of the price charged each year for new motor number plates was expressed in a resolution passed at the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union. The union at the same time affirmed its support in the meantime to a system of the annual renewal of number plates. Mr. H. Hay (Otago) moved that the union should declare itself in favour of the present system of the .annual renewal of motor number plates. The system, he claimed, was very efficient. Mr. C. M. Rout (Nelson), who seconded the motion, said the annual renewal of number plates made the insurance system watertight. Mr. W. A. O'Callaghan (North Island) said the North Island Union was in favour of the present system. Mr. F. W. Freeman: Why should not the Government give us plates for nothing? " It was understood in the early days of the system that these plates were to be distributed at cost," said Mr. A. Grayson. " The cost at first was higher than it is now, when the cost is about IOJd a pair. Motorists do not mind paying Is, but why should they pay 2s? The Post and Telegraph Department is being doubly paid for their distribution." Mr. P. W. Breen (Otago) favoured the district system of number plates, or the English system with a sticker for each year. Mr. A. E. Batt said the Post Office in five or six years had made out of motorists a profit of £IOB,OOO, to which it was not entitled. It received Is 6d on every licence out of the Main Highways Fund, Is profit on every number plate, and 6d on each transfer. On the motion of Mr. F. J. Williams, seconded by Mr. J. Haigh, an amendment that no action should be taken in the meantime upon the method of indication, was carried. On the motion of Mr. Haigh, seconded by Mr. G. Norris, it was decided that the executive should join with the North Island Motor Union in investigating the cost of motor registration, with the intention of having the price of the number plates reduced to cost. A letter was received from the registrar of motor vehicles reviewing the systems of motor registration in use in various overseas countries. A further letter stated that proposals were in hand to amend the Act to enable owners to attach new number plates two days before the expiry of the year.