MOTOR INTERESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22818, 27 August 1937, Page 16

MOTOR INTERESTS

NOETH ISLAND UNION CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REVIEW 46,000 MEMBERS AFFILIATED ALLOCATION OF TAX REVENUE [by telegraph—own correspondent! WANGANUI, Thursday "Tho year ended June 30, 1937, lias been extraordinary for tho very gratify ing development in tho numerical strength of associations and the numerous matters of first importance affecting motorists' interests, which have called for the attention of tho union during the year," stated the actingpresident of tho North Island Motor Union (Inc.), Dr. E. E. Porritt, in presenting tho 24th annual report of tho union at Wanganui to-day. Tho total membership of tho eight associations connected with the union at Juno 30 this year was 46,005, compared with 36,355 at the same period last year, and 31,590 in Juno, 1935, Dr. Porritt stated. Congratulations were duo to all associations for their outstanding success in membership building, and with the benefits of the additional resources thus provided they would bo better equipped to conduct and extend their services to members, .lie said. Empire AgJeement Dr. Porritt referred to important arrangements made for closer co-opera-tion with the automobile associations in Great Britain and Australia. All tho associations affiliated with the union entered into the Empire Federation agreement with tho Automobile Association of Great Britain, he said, this agreement giving Now Zealand members membership advantages in Britain at concession rates.

An arrangement had also been completed with the Australian Automobile Association giving members of Australian associations freo membership benefits for three months while visiting New Zealand. Similar benefits will be available to members of Now Zealand associations visiting Australia. Taxation Question Attention was drawn by Dr. Porritt to the inequitable manner in which motorists wero taxed for general revenue purposes. It was understood that revenue from motor taxation had reached a new record level in excess of £5,500,000 during the past financial year, he said. Although the aggregate number of motor vehicles showed a very considerable increase, the yield of taxation per vehicle had continued to increase and tho main advantages of such increase was enjoyed by the Consolidated Fund. In 1936, the taxation yipld per vehicle was £22 12s. Tho amount allocated to the Consolidated Fund and expenses of collection represented 57 per cent of tho total, 34 per cent was allocated to the Main Highways Board, and 9 per cent to local authorities. Measure ol Relief "When it is considered that motorists as ordinary taxpayers are called upon to meet their obligations in State taxation, it is apparent how inequitable it is to tax motorists for such general revenue purposes," Dr. Porritt commented. Some jelief had been given in that the practice of retaining £500,000 per annum of highways fund in the Consolidated Fund had been discontinued and in addition an announcement bad been made that the financing of rebates to country ratepayers was not to be a chargo against the highways fund this year. "Even though these provisions aro in accordance with our requests, they fall very short of what is considered necessary to fairly distribute tho tax burden/" Dr. Porritt added. Traffic Control The speaker said that the union had work in full co-operation with tho Transport Department and local authorities in connection with the application of the 1936 amendment to tho Motor Vehicles Act, which restricted speed in built-up areas to 30 miles an hour. "Proposals are now being considered to amend the Act further," said Dr. Porritt. "These aro designed to alter the authority issuing drivers' licences and to creato traffic enforcement authorities, and tho principle of tho proposals has the approval of tho union. An unsatisfactory feature of our traffic control is the incomplete definition of the obligations of pedestrians. Tho control of cyclists and pedestrians is so important "that it warrants urgent attention. These two classes of road users are concerned in accidents moro I than others." !