THE MOTOR TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12250, 23 September 1925, Page 11

THE MOTOR TRADE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OPENS WELCOME TO THE DELEGATES IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRY The annual general conference of the New Zealand Motor Trade Association and the Wholesale Motor and Cycle Traders’ Association, Ltd., opened in the Accountants’ Chambers yesterday morning. Messrs L. Treleaven (Christchurch) and G. H. Scott (Wellington), representatives of the two bodies, jointly presiding. The annual report, which disclosed a gratifying financial position, stated the membership of the association at the close of the year as being 658. ‘“This scheme has made decided progress during the year, and is now in mil swing in the Auckland district. .Steps are being taken to bring the other three large centres into tho same position at the beginning of the year, and it is expected that within two vears the scheme will be in operation in all the larger centres of the Dominion. ROADING PROGRESS “The Main Highways Board is now an active body, and has done an immense amount of preparatory work towards a permanent highway scheme. Motorists are, however, becoming impatient at the continued delays in improving our highways, seeing that such a large sum of money has been . provided bv motorists, and is available for this work. “We believe the cause of the delay in really the local bodies conoerned, and not the Highways Board, and if this is so it should be at once amended. The chairman of the Highways Board has kindly consented to address us during one of the sessions of our annual conference, and wilt doubtless acquaint us of the real position. 1 It is satisfactory to report that the last of the toll gates was closed on March 31st last, and New Zealand is now free of this relic of the ages. HEAVY TRAFFIC LEGISLATION “The Police Offences Amendment- Act deals with this important branch -of motor transport, and for the first time an attempt has been made to regulate it on a Dominion basis. “A storm of criticism greeted the first draft of the regulations under the Act. and .the various parties interested made a most forcible protest- against some of the proposed regulations. In the erid a fairly reasonable • set of conditions has been evolved which with time and patience should work fairly smoothly. The imposition of taxation and restrictions has been the more sevarelv felt because in tbe past heavy traffio vehicles have heen comparatively free from taxation and restrictions, and it is by comparison of what is. and what has heen that the present position appears to be more unreasonable than it really is. - “The executive fought strongly all through in respect to putting this heavy traffic regulations on a Dominion basis, and (rave .ev'*.i*flee. in support, before a special Parliamentary committee. It is satisfactory. tn> report that sneeess was achieved anH heavy traffic licenses are now issued on :. a Dominion basis, in place of the' ’overlapfring of licenses and duplication of fees which was possible under the regulations, as at first brought down.” REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING Mr >G. H. Scott, in welcoming the large gathering, which, included many ladies, expressed gratification at the representative assembly pres?!#;, which included delegates from the North' Cape to the Bluff. This year’s conference was- especially important in the fact that dt represented the first combined conference of all branches of the trade _ throughout the Dominion. In conclusion, Mr Scott expressed regret at the - unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister (tbe-Hon. .T. G. Coates) and of the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs C. J. B. Norwood). IMPORTANCE OF INDUStRY The Deputy-Mayor of Wellington (Councillor M. F. Luckie),. after conveying the regret of the Mayor at his enforced absenoe. on behalf of the citizens, extended a cordial welcome to the visiting delegates. “The world to-day realises the vast importance of tlie motor industry, upon which largely depends the progress and comfort of civilisation." aaid Councillor Luckie. The industry had brought ahout Improved conditions als regarded permanent highways. In this respect, Wellington. previous to the tax, had done more than any other city in laying down permanent roads, and in furtherance of this object was shortly commencing the expenditure of a loan of £200.000, which, however, would not re%ct unduly heavy taxes upon the motor industry.

The Hon. G. J. .Anderson, in welcoming the visitors on behalf of the Government, drew attention to that present-dav great menace of the highways—the glaring headlight, especially as regarded bitumen surfaces in narrow places—and appealed to all motorists to dim their lights while approaching another car. Messrs S. Treleaven and W. E. Perry _ also spoke in welcome towards the visitors, members, delegates, and ladies. BODIES COMBINE IN CONFERENCE At the combined conference held during the afternoon, Mr G. H. Scott president of the New Zealand Wholel sale Motor and Cycle Traders’ Association, in addressing the delegates, said that, the importance of the motor industry throughout the Dominion, representing as it surely did, one of tho largest commercial interests in the world, was of vital consideration, “Motor transportation,” said Mr Scott, “has become an integral part of our existence; In- fact, in the entire economic structure of daily life. Our national and civic development'as well as our prosperity are dependent upon the possession of an adequate system of motor transportation in beeping with the advancement of the age.’' Not only had the efficiency of the motor transport service throughout tho Dominion acted ns the main incentive towards bringing about the present drastic improvements in the railways, but also by providing keen competition, had been instrumental in affecting radical improvements among tbe means of municipal transportation. REMITS FAVOURED Tho principal remits favoured by tho delogatos at the afternoon session worn as follows: “That the various branrhes oT thd Now Zealand Wholesale Motor and Cycle Traders’ Association and the New!

Zealand Motor Trade Association throughout the Dominion jointly organise an annual “Joy Ride” for tlia benefit of orphans, and that the Saturday afternoon nearest December loth in each year be devoted to that purpose,” and “That a Benevolent Fund be established for the relief of distress among persons and families connected with the motor industry of this Dominion, and that the trustees for the control and distribution of the fund be the president and secretary respectively for the time being of the New Zealand Wholesale Motor and Cycle Traders’ Association, and the New Zealand Motor Trade Association, who in turn would appoint annually from their number a chairman and an hon. secretary.” The conference will continne at 10 a.m. this morning, when a further discussion of remits will take place. RETAILERS MEET ELECTION OF OFFIOERS. The wholesalers having adjourned to a separate private meeting, the retailers proceeded to hold their _ annual meeting. Mr L. Treleavan presided. The chairman, referring to the report; said that the technical training scheme was successfully carried on. Motor exhibitions contributed to the, sdccess of tlie association, some of the more noteworthy in «the smaller towns being those at Hamilton and Oamnru. The report and balance-sheet (showing a balance of £473 13s 8d of assets over liabilities) were adopted. The election of officers, resulted: — President, Mr J. A. Gillett (Auckland); treasurer and secretary, Mr J. F. Cousins (Wellington) p auditor, Mr R. A.. Fuller (Palmerston North). . Tho - following delegates were appointed as council by the various branches:—■' Auckland, Mr G. M. White p South Auckland, Mr E. B. iFraser; Thames Valley, Mr A. J. Clarke; To Kuiti, : , Mr Mostyn Jones; .Taranaki, Mr. J. H. Ashton; Manawatu, Mr J. H. Watt; Wairarapa,, Mr R. J. Young; Wanganui, Mr F,, Flavell; Wellington, Mr J. R. Perry; . Canterbury, Mr J. H. Lough; South Canterbury, Mr C. W, Wood; North Otago, Mr H. J. Jenkins; Southland, Mr C. E. Watts. .