INTERESTS OF MOTORISTS

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 63

INTERESTS OF MOTORISTS

HEAVY DIRECT TAXATION.

G REA TER R EPRESENTATION WANTED.

WANGANUI, August 21. At the end of June, 1931, the membership of al] associations in the North Island totalled 31,656, an increase of 2308 oxer the previous year,” said the president °f Island Motor Union (Mr W. A. O Callaghan) in presenting the report to the annual conference to-day. Delegates were present from all parts of the North Island and also representatives of tlie South Island Motor Union. Mr O'Callaghan, continuing, said the total membership of the associations affiliated to the South Island Union was making a total of 43,248 motorists who were members of automobile associations in the Dominion.

“ Under the new legislation,” he said, “ motorists are finding the whole of the fiance for the Main Highways Board, and we contend we are entitled to additional representation. We have asked the Government repeatedly to appoint one additional motorists’ representative on the board, but have not had our request acceded to. When I mention that in the year ended March 31, 1931, motorists found no less a sum than £1,840,590 5s Id for loading purposes by way of direct taxation, 1 think it will be abundantly clear that we have every right to ask for further representation on the board that spends our funds. The huge sum mentioned is made up as follows:—Proceeds from the tax on tyres and tubes, £13,048 Is Id; registrations and license fees, £393.797 Us Id; motor spirits tax, £1,316,384 12s lid;— total, £1,840,590 5s Id.”

The report presented by Mr Ivon Wilson, chairman of the North Island Motor Union Mutual Insurance Company, said the income was £61,476, compared with £38,242 for the previous year. The net profit of the year's working was £8352, compared with £3337 the previous year. A resolution that the union should continue the agitation for an additional motorists’ representative on the Main Highways Board, without specifying that such representative should be a South Island representative, was carried without discussion.

Other remits adopted included the following:— “ That Parliament be again urged to pass legislation providing that where a person injured by a motor vehicle incurs hospital expenses, such expenses be a first charge on any moneys payable to such person by an insurance company, except money’s paid under life insurance and accident policies.” “ That the union take steps to have it made an offence under the motor regulations or local by-laws for a person riding a bicycle to lead a horse or any other animal.

“That the Government be asked to fix a specified standard for first grade petrol, so that petrol sold from first grade pumps may’ be checked and the seller prosecuted if the grade falls below a specified standard.”

Mr W. G. Walkley (Hawera) was appointed permanent secretary of the union. The South Taranaki Association, which was responsible for the conference arrangements, marked the occasion by the publication of the Motor News, a 12-page illustrated newspaper covering the conference reports.