The Star. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1928. NOTES OF THE DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18639, 17 December 1928, Page 8

The Star. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1928. NOTES OF THE DAY.

' I 'HE TUNNEL ROAD agitation was mentioned in one of A the Anniversary Day speeches yesterday as an evidence that those of the present generation still have the courage and foresight of their fathers. The point is well made. There was a time when the tunnel road agitation was availed of by the Government to mark time on the electrification of the railway tunnel. That time has passed, and it is certain that there must be a tunnel road some day to Port Lyttelton. In saying that, one does not discredit the Port Christchurch scheme in any way, for even if we had a port in the Heathcote basin, Lyttelton would still be an important suburb of Christchurch, and an alternative port to some extent, and with the growth of motor traffic it is absolutely essential to have direct and cheap road access to every suburb. There is, indeed, work for the rising generation to do, and one of the most important matters connected with the prosperity of the province of Canterbury is the improvement of port facilities, and the freeing of Lyttelton from the railway monopoly that bars all road access to the wharves.

THE Canterbury Surf and Life Saving Association is to be commended for its enterprise in appointing patrolmen for the North Beach, Sumner and New Brighton beaches. The sea seems to attract foolhardy people, who, unfortunately often manage to get others into trouble as well as themselves. Certainly, the difficulties at New Brighton on Sunday were due to ignorance of the existence of a treacherous hole which trapped the unsuspecting rather than the reckless; but at the same time they amply demonstrated the wisdom of the association in its appointment of permanent patrolmen. Since the duties of the patrols will keep them on the beaches, it is perhaps not out of place to suggest that they could do a great deal, if they wished, towards keeping the beaches respectable. It is a lamentable fact that when some people are given a yard they will take an ell, and a sense of decency often seems to be lacking in some of the frequenters of the city’s bathing places and pleasure resorts. If these places are to remain attractive to decent people, the few who do not labour under any sense of obligation in the maintenance of a wholesome atmosphere about public resorts ought to be dealt with firmly. The surf clubs, in co-operation with the patrolmen, might do a good deal in seeing that such places are not marred by undue latitude on the part of self-styled sun-worshippers.

WHILE DISCLAIMING any political leanings, “ The Radiator,” the organ of the New Zealand Motor Trade Association, very significantly expresses approbation of the policy laid down by Sir Joseph Ward in regard to motor transport. It points out that when the Reform Government came into power, there was little or no taxation on motor vehicles, Customs duties were light, there was no tax on tyres or petrol, nor was there a registration or license tax. It points out that during the time the Reform Government was in power the following changes have been made:—

The duty is now assessed on the complete car being twenty per cent on British cars and fifty per cent other than British. The percentage of cost to qualify a vehicle as British has been increased from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. Registration, £1 per car. Annual license, £2 to £5 per annum. Heavy traffic fee, up to £75 per annum according to size. Tyre tax, 10 per cent British; 35 per cent general. Petrol tax, 4d per gallon. Driver’s license, 5s per annum. Admitting that motor bus legislation was necessary on top of all this, “ The Radiator ” still finds room for criticism of some of the regulations. Sir Joseph Ward’s policy in this matter has been laid down as follows: (1) A commission of inquiry into the motor-car industry; (2) a commission of inquiry into the motor transport question; (3) the establishment of a motor transport board consisting of representatives of the Government, motor trade, motor owners, and local bodies; (4) a revision of heavy traffic taxation. This policy appeals to motor owners and others interested in motor transport, and “ The Radiator ” believes that it influenced a very large number of votes at the recent (election.