1929-05-18 — Page 9

MOTORING

SUPPLEMENT

OF

:

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

f.

SATURDAY, 18th MAY, 1929.

Being The Officiel Organ of

THE HONGKONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

Excessive. Taxing.

CURRENT

COMMENT

Doubly Taxed.

There are so many different] Another point which has been aspects of the recent suggestion to pressed is that as ordinary tax- impose a tax on horse-power payers, motorists first pay their well as on petrol consumption, that contributions Lo the Keneral we make no excuse for again re-revenue of the country, and then, ferring to the matter. One of thefly reason of the ownership of a reasons put forward ally for motor vehicle, contribute sub increased taxation of motorstantial sums for read costs. The vehicles is that Hongkong should thousands of communications; adopt the same basis as that in which the parent body of the A. A. force in Great Britain. We cannot has received from all over the imagine a more illogical argument. British Isles leave no doubt as to The British Isles probably rank the feeling of resentment which to-day as the highest taxest coun- this intolerable position has creat try in the world, a truly unfor-ed among those who, merely be tunate position solely due to the cause they own motor vehicles, tremendous financial burden in-have been deliberately singled out posed by, the Great War. To to bear burdens which are for the suggest that Hongkong should common weal, and, therefore, emulate an example which circum-shanld have been spread over the stances have created is both unfair whole community.

and unjustified. Conditions here)

are totally different, and there is Not Luxury Vehicles,

no reason why we should desire to

share the nñenviable distinction: Another extract from the peti-| which the Homelund is forced lotion in question states:— bear.

The Injustice.

Quite apart from the peculiar] needs of the economie situation at Humo, the vast body of motorists there have already kidgeil the most | vigorous protests against the im- position of excessive taxation. As recently as March 21st, a petition; was sent to every Member of the) House of Commens by the Automo-I bile Association prolesting in the most emphatic language against the burden imposed on all users of motor vehicles. The following | extracts are of interest:--

"Motor transport is to-day a matter of priïne inportance, at the prement seriona posi-

dion, resulting from over taxus lion of motor vehicles

is one which should be con- sidered upon a plane entirely removed from Party Politics."

"Equity, to the individua)· Taxpayer should surely be one of the main principles of inxa tion, but in the ease of motor vehicles the vicious policy of Baddling them with various laxation burdens før purposEN designed to benefit the coun- try as a whole has created a position of grave injustice to every motor owner,"

ACCESSORIES

A Big display of "Dzidito" and Luens" storage buttaries anitable for all motor curt and india, Also accessories of all kinds for insturenga and cycles such as,

Electric horns. Hand jacks Bumpers.

Spark plugs.

Foot pumps Wrenches Tyre patches. Lamp bulbs Brakelining. Bady polish

end

ke... . ke.. Se,

All at exceptiodally low price. Cali

inspect THE HONGKONGE

| MOTOR ACCESSORY CO., Bank of

Canton Building. Tel. C, 577,

PRATT & LAMBERT

EFFECTO AUTO FINISHES

"It is difficult to conceive the grounds upon which this policy of excessively taxing one nection. of the community could be justified. The time when it could rightly be said that motor cars were luxury vehicles has long since passed. The rapid development of the small car and motor cycle has resulted in the vast majority of motor vehicles being owned by persona of moderate means, and their use of these . vehicles is mainly that of

utility. They are

# class which certainly should not have been specially selected to bear taxation burdens out of all proportion to their position In everyday life.”

Proof Positive,

That the heavy taxation his bnd serious effect on sales of motor vehicles in Great Britain is clearly indicated by the following:-

"If anything were needed ta emphasise the serlots situation which has arisen and its effect on the progress of motor transport, it is to be found in the licencing returns of motor vehicles for inst year, during the period follow- ing the Petrol, tax (additional to the HP. Lax) imposed by the last Budget. With un- usually good weather condi-: tions, prevailing, the number of motor vehicles licensed during that period was netual- ly leas than in the same period for the preceding Previous years had shown auccessive increases. It is submitted that this substan- tilly Indicates the grave effect of the over-taxation of motor vehicles."

Very Doubtful.

The extracts

year.

FAMOUS BRITISH MOTORIST AT BROOKLANDS.

SUB

Mr. Kaye Don, the well-known racing motorist before the start of the run in which he broko the 200 kilometres and the 200 miles records at Brooklands recently. Ilis speeds were 115-20 and 115-80 m.p.h. The lower picture shows him at top speed in his 6-cylinder car, the "Cub."

Brugn's questions. It is interest- ing to note that it is not proposed to proceed immediately with legis

will be abandoned,

Local Parking.

H.P. TAX BAD,

At Home.

RESTRICTS TRADE.

GOODYEAR CO.

Not Entering into Merger.

Rumours that the Goodyear

of the

Enjoy the Summer

ON A

HARLEY DAVIDSON

350 c. c. Side or Overhead Valve

THE NEW

500 c. c. Single

THE FAMOUS

ין

f

750 e. c. Small Twin

THE SUPER

1,000 e. c. Big Twin

(For Solo or Bide-car)

ONLY A FEW LEFT !

THE GASCON MOTOR CO.

REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN ON ALL MAKES OF MACHINES.

Tol. K. 1242

2, Kwong Wah Road, Kowloon. (Opposito The Steam Laundry)

A GOOD ASSORTMENT OF SPARE PARTS AND

ACCESSORIES IN STOCK.

THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS.

"Jay-walkers" Blamed

by Expert.

1

In reply to the chairman, Mr. Smith said that at the last general meeting of the members of the club a resolution was passed to the effect that the proper method of taxation should be a fuel tax.

Broadly speaking, said Mr. Smith, his view was that the cost of highways, both as regards con

STAND FOR SAFETY,struction and maintenance, should he a national charge. The roatis of

any

"It is not the speed of motor the country were a public heritage, vehicles but the carelessness of and belonged to the community, pedestrians that is the chief cause and it was unsound that the bur

den of their upkeep, or any stated of accidents."

This view was expressed by Mr. portion of the burden of the up- Robert John Smith, secretary of keep, should be placed on the Royal Scottish Automobile particular body of users or class Club, giving evidence before the of the community. Royal Commission on Transport in He was not quite satisfied with the House of Lords. Sir Arthur the provisions in the draft Road Grimth-Boscawen presided.

Traffe Bill relativa to road signals Replying to Sir Matthew Wal- and road directions. lace, Mr. Smith said the Chief] carelessness of the pedestrian in

He thought the most debatable

In using the streets without using subject in the Road Traffic Bill would be the retention, or aboll- his eyes at the same time.

road.

lation for the introduction of Should be Reduced motor pur taxution, as recommend- ed by the Committee. It is to be expected that, following represen tations which will be made by the

Mr. F. Montague, M.P.-Would tion of the present speed limit. ILK.A.A. and other interested The energetic manner in which Tyre and Itubber Co. would merge you agree that the pedestrian The motor organizations were parties, the horse-power proposals Henry Ford and General Motors shortly with other large American should have as much right to us strongly of the view that the speed limit should be abolished. "His are going after European automo- rubber companies were emphati- the road as the motorist? bile business is proving helpful to ally denied recently by Mr. J. W. Mr. Staith-every member of the opinion was entirely and strongly foreign sales of all American cura, Moss, Special Representative of Sorge local motorists who have according to H. H. Franklin, The Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Community has the right to use the opposed to speed limita, given

Mr. Montague Then the pedes Compulsory Insurance Opposed. above, been in the habit of leaving their president of the Franklin Auto Export Co. coming as they do from the in cars in Pedder Street for the mobile Company of Syracuse, New

Mr. Moss said recent cable dis-train has as much right to hoot the Mr. Smith said he had perused luential organisation which 80 greater part of the day, have ro-York who recently returned from patches from America, which motorist off the road as the motor- Viscount Cecil's Bill in the Lorde,

carried

of closely studies the question of cently received notices from the ten week's trip.

reports

niergerist has to hoot the pedestrian off and he heartily approved of it in motoring, are most enlightening. Traffic Department pointing out

"By establishing European fac- negotiations

Good the road?

many particulare, and he was. It must be admitted that motorists that vehicles may not be left un-tories and building up strong year intereste with two other Mr. Smith-Yes, if he is going quite sure that in that view ho in the British Telea are victims of attended in that thoroughfare, dealer organizations, the Ford and large American, tyre manufac- fastor,

was expressing the views of has not only affected them very tion is to prevent certain cara from look with favour on all motor pro- Moss quoted a message from P. w. decidedly unfair taxation which While we presume that the inten- the General Motors companies are lurers, were unfounded and not Mr. Montague-Then the faster automobilisto generally.

causing European car buyers to true.

he goes the more right he has to In confirmation of this, Mr.hoot.

In further evidence, Mr. Smith seriously, but also affected one of monopolising valuable parking the country's most important In-space daily, the suggestion that a

ducts Trom the United States,"

Major J. J. 'Astor, M.P.-I be said the proposals of Lord Geell dustries. To suggest that Hong-car may remain for an indefinite said Mr. Franklin. "No longer Litchfield, president of Good- lleve in Scotland pedestrians often that every holder of a driving kong motorists should receive period if somebody can be induced are automobiles the vehicles of year, in which the latter declared stand in the middle of the road. licence should be subject to an similar treatment in extremely to sit in it for hours on end, is only the rich. Many middle-class No merger of rubber companies It is the recognized place for do- examination for physical fitness and driving capabilities would be harsh, and there is not the not calculated to establish the families are beginning to buy, and to which Goodyear would be partying that, is it not? Mr. Smith-Y08.

almost Impossible, Ho slightest justification for imposing most practical solution to the pre-setting up a desire for a car in a in contemplation and no dis- merger by such a burden. The case for the lem. Pedder Street between Des recently, automobilo show rooms officials of this company are going ence that stationary pedestrians motor owners against accidents to

their neighbours' minds. Until eussions of such

Major Astor-Is it your experi- posed to compulsory insurance of ALL COLOURS, KEPT IN STOCK local motorists has been so clearly Voeux Road and Queen's Road in European cities were usually to on, various rumours to the conare, sot often injured?

third parties. Ils opposition was. emphasised in the Colony, that-it a most important traffe artery; be found in extremely improbable that the and a particularly

on the low-rent back trary notwithstanding."

Mr. Smith-Yes, the man whof based on the broad principle that convenient streats, Now motor rows, like Government will adopt the recom- parking place, and it must be American motor rows, are being ly low-powered and small, pre- the road is the man who geta kill that compulsion in this instance changes his mind in the middle of compulsion was objectionable, and mendations. Numbers of people granted that it is hardly fair for developed in the prominent rotafi sumbaly because of the heavy ed.

would lead to the introduction of have expressed a very definite opinion on the question, and the some motorists to occupy space for shopping districts of European taxes on horsepower. As Amori

State supervision In the matter, long periods, thus preventing cities.

can motor car standards are be-

which might be more objectionable unanimity of that opinion must other cars from taking up post-with the widening of tho de- coming impressed on the European I do agree with, Lord Coell, he still. If there was to be compul- carry very great weight when the tions for short periods. In other sire for automobiles among the mind, ane hears a growing public said, that the reckless, negligent, sion, some provision would have matter comes up for final decision. parts of the world, It has been massed of population, the sentiment for reduction of the re- and careless drivers should be to be made for those who wera. found necessary to limit the time European motorists are feeling alrictive horse-power taxes. See suppressed, and I would make the presently blacklisted or highly for any car to park on certain the urge for more power, more mingly, it will be only a question penalties for these offences more rated, and there was the lately. Since the above notes were stands, and it seems that some speed. and greater roominess, of a short time until these horse-severe than at present. I think result that the main body of motor written, the Government has such system is needed for Pedder The European-bullt automobiles of power taxes will either be reduced the present powers of endorsing owners would have to pay more replied to the Hon. Mr. J. P. Street,

popular price are characteristical- lor eliminated."

licences are adequate,

money for their insuranca,

AS WELL AS THE NEW FORD SHADES.

Arabian Sand, Dawn Grey. Niagara Blue and Gun Metal Blue,

N. S. MOSES & CO., LTD.,

Sole Agents.

Official View.

More Severe Penalties,

was on-