NEW MOTOR REGULATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1927, Page 9

NEW MOTOR REGULATIONS

CRITICISM OF AMENDMENTS DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. PROBLEM OF ROAD MAINTENANCE. Bj Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives yesterday, the Hon. K. S. Williams moved the second reading of the Motor Vehicles Amendment. Bill, He said he did not think any of the clauses were contentious. The Minister intimated that in committee he would move a new. clause which would bring drivers’ licenses into line with the licenses of vehicles. Mr. D. G. Sullivan said obviously the object of the Bill was to secure more license fees for the Main Highways Board. He would have preferred to have seen the Government make a straightout contribution to the highways fund, since the vehicles of local bodies and State vehicles would now have to pay fees, which they did not pay previously. Mr. A. Harris congratulated the Gove uent on bringing such a Bill down. There was no reaeon whatever why vehicles owned by the State or local bodies should not pay fees for the roads which they used. The Leader of the Opposition said the Bill had been brought down in a great hurry and the local bodies had not had notice. He suggested that the Bill be sent to a committee so that evidence might be taken from those who desired to give it.

When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m., Mr. J. A. Lee complained that the Bell did not embody the principle that those who used the roads should pay for them, inasmuch as cities were going to be levied in order to maintain the roads in rural areas. Sir Joseph Ward said that it was cities and towns which derived twothirds of the benefits from motor-cars, and they should not try to throw off their responsibilities on to smaller districts. He would prefer to see a petrol tax rather than registration fees. Mr. W. D. Lysnar welcomed the Bill, which, he said was long overdue. Subject to minor amendments it would be most welcome. COMPULSORY IN.SURANCE. Mr. G. W. Forbes advocated some system of compulsory insurance to provide w... r .at km to those who are injured in motor-car accidents. That was a matter which he thought could not be much longer delayed. Motor-ears now had the full run of the roads, and there should be some protection to those who have to use roads in other ways. Mr. E. P. Lee said there was great need for watchfulness on the part of the authorities to cheek the reckless speed at which motor-cars travelled, both in cities and on country roads. He would ask the Ministers to do something to control this menace to human life. Mr. W. T. Armstrong thought the Bill was unfair to city ratepayers, who were being asked to pay too much towards the upkeep of roads outside the cities. In this respect things had just about reached the limit. Mr. R. MeKeen urged that local bodies be given an opportunity to give evidence for or against the Bill before it was p.ased. The Bill was most unfair to local bodies. Mr. H. M. Campbell objected to passengers being locked in taxi-cabs, as in these circumstances an accident was almost certain te become a tragedy. Service buses should also have more than one door. Mr. Lee- Martin regretted the Government had not given greater consideration to representations made on the subject of motor traffic by farmers’ unions. He also advocated some form of national insurance against motor-car accident. The debate was carried on by Messrs )?. Walter, W. Jones. A. Bell, P. Fraser, J. C. Rolleston and T. W. Rhodes. The Minister, in reply, said he would not hurry the Bill through the House until the local bodies had an opportunity of discussing it. The Bill would probably have a long way to go before they arrived at finality so far as motor taxation was concerned, but he was glad the d'bate had taken place, as it had been full of useful criticism.

With regard to the speed of motors and a concerted system of signals, regulations would be framed. That, he thought, would be a better method than [ :lag laws, as conditions varied so greatly. He was prepared to reconsider the auction of registration plates if a better system could be devised. He was not ots.-mUe about it, but. the present system had many advantages. The Bill was read a second time.