THE MOTOR INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1924, Page 5

THE MOTOR INDUSTRY.

DOMINION ASSOCIATION, ANNUAL CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.*—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The seventh annual conference of the New Zealand Motor Trade Association opened to-day under the presidency of Mr. L. Treleaven. The delegates were accorded a civic welcome. In the course of his remarks the Mayor (Mr. J. A. Flesher) made reference to New Zealand’s growing papulation and the proposals before Parliament affecting motorists. He ventured to say that some of the proposals were merely taxing machines and those who were connected with local government were feeling somewhat sore about it. He thought that the people of the cities and the boroughs had just cause for complaint. If the Act was to be used as a taxing machine there should be some equitable arrangement for the cities and boroughs. Mr. P. E. Stainton, the president, in his reply, said that the increase in population could ibe ascribed to two main causes—a very efficient Plunket Society and very efficient motor drivers. They had not assembled to fix a rise in prices, but to better the conditions <A the trade generally. The annual report stated that the work of the association had been steadily maintained. The number of members on the register at the close of the year was 678. -Frequent changes iai the ownership of garages made it difficult to keep the register up to date. The balance-sheet disclosed a very satisfactory credit, notwithstanding that subscriptions totalling £569 5a 6d were unpaid.

It was decided to recomimend tfli-e incoming committee to devise some special means of collecting outstanding subscriptions.

The following office-bearers were elected: —'President, Mr. L. Treleaven (Chris tohurch); auditor. Mr. )R. A. Fuller( Palmerston North); councillors, Messrs J. A. Gillett (Auckland), iS. Tombs (South Auckland), A. J. Clarke (Thames Valley), R A. jjeece (Tarinaki), .1. R. Perry ( Wellington), H. Watt (Manawatu), F. Flu veil (Wanganui), T. VVagg (Wairarapa), W. Mathieson (Canterbury), H. Collinson (South Canterbury), H. J. Jenkins (North Otago), A. Wimpenny (Otago) and A. Russell (Southland)/

An Auckland remit “that the incoming committee consider the question of uniform rates of subscription, such rates tT cover Dominion and local subscriptions now chained and to be apportioned accordingly,” was carried.