MOTOR VEHICLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19249, 13 August 1924, Page 5

MOTOR VEHICLES.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION. ANNUAL LICENSE FEES. £2 FOR PRIVATELY-OWNED CARS. (From Oup. Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. August 12. The Motor Vehicles Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. Under the existing system the registration of motor vehicles is effected by certain borough commits—viz., those whoso districts have a population of over 5000 and by county councils. For this system of registration the Bill proposes to substitute a system of registration by officers of the public service. The work of registration will be undertaken by officers of the Post and Telegraph Department, and will not necess.ita.to the establishment of another department of State. The more important provisions of the Bill are as follows; Registration and annual licensing for the purposes of registration. The division of Now Zealand into provincial districts is made use of. For each provincial district it is proposed to appoint, such number of deputy registrars a a may be necessary, who will keep local registers of the vehicles registered by them. In addition there will lx; a central register to be kept in Wellington, and to he compiled by the registrar from particulars furnished by the several deputy registrars. Registration is not required to bo renewed, save that the particulars must be furnished as to change of garage or of ownership for noting in the local and the central registers. Save the Act, but during this period every in exceptional cases it is an offence to use an unregistered motor vehicle. The proposed penalty is a fine of £2O for every day on which an unregistered vehicle is used. A period of one month is allowed in which to effect the registration of vehicles in use at the commencement of the Act, bn tduring this period every vehicle must carry its registration number. Unde; - the Motor Regulation Act, 1008, special provisions (by wav of exempting from (ho neeeasitv of registration) are made with respect to vehicles held by dealers for purposes of sale only. On payment of the prescribed fee a dealer may obtain any number of identification plates for use on vehicles while being tested or exhibited or otherwise used prior to sale. Annual Licenses.—ln addition to the requirement of registration the Bill requires that every motor vehicle shall be licensed annually. Annual licensing is to bo effected by the several deputy registrars on payment of the appropriate license fee as set out in the schedule to the Bill. The man purpose of the annual license is to provide binds for maintenance expenditure on main highways. It is an offence punishable bv a fine of £2O per day to use an unlicensed motor vehicle. A period of one month is allowed after the commencement, of the Act in which to effect the licensing of vehicles already in use. Licensing of Drivers.—The licensing of loft a.s at present to the local authorities, but is made compulsory. No person under the age of 15 years h competent, to receive a driver’s license. The GovernorGeneral may prescribe qualifications to be possessed bv the applicants for drivers’ licenses, and may make provision for different classes of such licenses and for a different, standard of qualification for the several classes. In the absence of such regulations the matter of qualification is loft to the discretion of the particular local authority concerned. Provision is made for t.bie cancellation of drivers’ licenses, or for their endorsement or suspension bv a Court of Justice in eases whore the holders have shown that thev are not fit oersons to bare charge of a, motor vehicle. Drivers’ licenses remain operative only until March 31 succeeding the date of issue. Fees. — All fees for drivers’ licenses are payable to the general funds of the licensing local authorities other fees payable under the Act (0.g., registration fees, anfinal license fees, etc.), and all fines recovered in respect of offences are made Payable io the revenue fund of the Main Highways Account, where thev are available towards the maintenance (but not for the cc~’strMctic> r O of main Lnjjhwavs. Reckless Driving.—lt is an offence punishablo on summary conviction for any person to bo in charge of a motor vehicle while in a. state of intoxication, and any such Person may be arrested without Warrant. It is also an offence punishable surirmarilv to drive a motor vehicle so negligently or recklessly as to endanger the safety of the public, or if any person, while in a state of intoxication as aforesaid, or by reason of reckless or negligent driving, causes bodilv iniury to. or the death of. any person, he is guilty of a crime and is liable on indictment +o imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to a fine not exceeding £SCO. Duties of Motor Drivers.—ln the event of an accident arising from the use of a motor vehicle, it is declared to bo the dndv of the driver to render ah reasonable and practicable assistance and to report the incident to the police. Fverv driver of a motor vehicle (whether he has committed an offence or not) is required to stop, and on request bv a police constable to give information sufficient to identify him and the owner of the motor vehicle. If is also declared to bo an offence to use a motor vehicle with any number or identification mark obscured. Regulations.—The Governor-Genera i-in-Council is empowered to make regulations as to numerous matters incidental to the control bf motor traffic, and the registration and licensing of motor vehicle'. \ schedule attached to the Bill pro. vides the following fees payable for annual licenses ;

1. For every motor cycle. 10s. 2. For every private car, £2. S. For every public motor car, £2. 4. For every motor coach or motor omnibus, £5.

5. For trade motors —la) For every oneton truck fitted with pneumatic tyres on all wheels, £2; (b) for every motor lorry fitted with solid tyres, £5; (c) for every motor lorry fitted with pneumatic tyres on all wheels, £3.

6. For every traction engine, £5. 7. For every trailer, £3. 8. For every other motor vehicle, £2. Motor vehicles owned by a local or public authority and used exclusively for general or local purposes, and also motor vehicles used exclusively for purposes of a public nature are declared to be exempt by the regulations under this Act. COMMENT BY MINISTER. CRITICISM COURTED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 12. “You have correctly gauged the Motor Vehicles Bill. It is one of the most important. measures to be brought before Parliament this session.’’ remarked the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. R. F. Bollard). “The cardinal aim of the measure is a legislative attempt to place on a better footing the control of the cvcr-incroaaing motor” vehicle in the dominion, and to assist in providing revenue for the efficient working of ‘ The Main Highways Act, 1922.’ One or two other special features of the Bill make plain the intention of the Government to deal drastically with reckless and negligent drivers of motor cars. Serious motor car accidents are far too frequent in this country, and I feel that Parliament, local bodies, and the Automobile Association will aid the Government in the efforts it is making to curb the recklessness and negligence of the thoughtless driver. Mr Bollard went on to say that the Bill, of which the House had passed the first reading this afternoon, had receive,! the most careful consideration of all concerned with the promotion of the measure. “Linked up with the Motor Vehicles Bill,” ho said, “is the Main Highways Act, and the passing of the Bill will lend to help to bring that Act which Parliament has placed on the Statute Book into full fruition. The lion. Mr Coates and myself, the principal officers of the Public Works and Internal Affairs Departments, have been considering the Bill for some time past. It is hoped that the Bill will nice), with the approval of the Legislature, and of also those with whom its provisions most vitally concern.” Dealing with the comment made by the New Zealand Automobile Association at its recent meeting, “that the Minister in charge of the Bill bad not kept faith with motorists over the Bill by not circulating the measure prior to its presentation to Parliament,” Mr Bollard said that all along lie had stated that the Bill was ready for circulation ho would send copies for the consideration of the automobile associations and to the local authorities throughout New Zealand. “It is not proper,” ho said, “to circulate a Bill to come before (bo House until that Bill has passed its first reading. Tho first reading of the Motor Vehicles Bill was carried in the House late this afternoon, and in accordance with my promise I have addressed to-

night a ropy of the Bill, together with a memorandum, to all the local authorities and to the motor associations throughout the dominion. As I indicated in the House when the Bill was being introduced, I intend to propose to the House that a special committee be set up to consider its provisions. That course will be taken next week, as copies of (he measure have been sent to the executive ot the Counties and Municipal Associations. 1 have suggested to the different local bodies and associations to whom copies of the Bill have been sent that (hey should make any comments desired to their executive. If that course is decided upon lime would be saved and greater facilities given when the special committee is considering the Bill.”