BARRIERS OF RED TAPE

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 71

BARRIERS OF RED TAPE

Speaking of his experiences in bringing a motor car into the country, Sir Benjamin Fuller stated that he called on the secretary of. the Automobile Association in Sydney to ask him for any advice that’ might facilitate his movements on arrival at Wellington. The secretary’s reply was significant. “ i could more easily frank your car to and through England, Europe, and the United States of America than I could to New Zealand,” he declared. He also stated that of the hundreds of tourist motorists who had contemplated taking their cars to the Dominion in the past 12 months only one had done so after ascertaining

the difficulties involved. However, Sir Benjamin brought his car. Before it could be landed he bad to deposit £250 in cash, a substantial bond to ensure that the requirements of the Customs laws would be fulfilled. As he had his own business organisation “ to call on ” that did not cause him as much concern as it would other travellers who were differently situated. That, however, did not end the matter. An assistant was about to drive the. car off the wharf when he was plainly informed that he would be arrested if he.did so. The car had New South Wales number plates on, and was not registered' in New Zealand. It could only be towed off and must not be driven under its own power, not even to the post office, where the registration fee had to be paid and new number plates obtained. A New South Wales motorist going to Victoria or vice versa merely reported at the nearest police station, and there was no further trouble. Sir Benjamin doubts very much whether the heads of the Government are aware of the extent to which the tourist traffic is discouraged by the methods adopted. “ You are endeavouring to make your roads smooth,” he concluded. “ The petrol tax to which we‘ visitors also con tribute, is assisting to achieve that object, but I would strongly advise New Zea land to do its utmost to make the road across the Tasman smooth.”