THE MOTOR BILL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 139, 18 July 1914, Page 12

THE MOTOR BILL.

ASSAILED BY OPPOSITION. TAX ON TYKES SUGGESTED. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 17. The first business of importance dealt with by the House this afternoon was the Motor Bill, which was introduced by Governor's. message. A full summary of the Bill appeared in yesterday's SUN. After the Hon. A. L. Herdman had explained the provisions of the measure, Mr T. M. Wilford( Hutt) said that lie thought the Bill would be a very good one, indeed, and it was time that, some tax was imposed on cars. At the same time he thought the revenue should be collected in the form of a t.vre tax, so that owners should pay in proportion to the amount of running thev got out of their cars. The imposing* of the tax on horse-power would be most unfair to the lighter American cars —especially one particular make which is very popular in New Zealand. The car he drove himself was a heavier car than the particular make to which he referred, but it had a lesser horsepower. He would, therefore, have to pay a smaller tax than the owners of less powerful cars. The Prime Minister: The hon. member will find that provided for in the Bill. Mr Wilford said that he knew more about the Bill than probably even the Prime Minister did.

Mr Massey laughed heartily. Mr Wilford: I do; and I am prepared to tell the Prime Minister outside the House why I do. (Laughter.) The Prime Minister went on to say that there was a considerable difference between the British and "American system of measuring horse power. One h.p. British was equal to from Hto h.p. American. The regulations to be made under this Bill would make provision accordingly, and the objection raised by the hon. gaember for Hutt would be met. HOW MANY CARS?

Sir J. G. Ward (Awarua) wanted information as to the number of cars in the Dominion, so that the House would have some idea as to what the revenue would be.

Mr Wilford said that there were about 9000 cars in the Dominion, of which some 7200 were continually runIIin LIABILITY FOR ACCIDENTS.

Mr A. H. Hindmarsh (Wellington South) spoke of the danger of accidents and the risks run by pedestrians and other users of the roads. He thought that compensation should be made a charge against the car, just as workers accident compensation may be charged against a mine or other property. This charge should stand notwithstanding mortgage or any similar deed. If a car were sold on time payment, as was now the general custom, the vendor could insist on the buyer insuring against accident. This would not cost very much, and his proposal would impose no hardship upon anyone. ROAD MAINTENANCE. Mr A. W. Myers (Auckland East) said that there was a feeling amongst the motorists that they would not object to being taxed on their cars if the funds went towards the roads being kept in better order. He suggested that the Bill should be kept back until its corollary, dealing with the maintenance of the main roads, was introduced. He hoped that the Government would agree to a State Main Roads Bill, setting up a State Board for the main ro ads ''' CHANCES FOR FRESH . TAXATION."

Mr G. W. Russell (Avon) said he wanted to take the earliest opportunity of protesting against this Bill. It seemed to him that the Government was looking round for chances of fresh taxation. What he objected to was the Prime Minister's statement that this was to be a general tax on motor cars. The taxi cab had virtually replaced the horse cab in the . cities, and the owners of the taxi cabs were mostly poor men. An hon. member: They're provided for." Mr Fisher: Read the Bill first and then have ago at it. (Hear, hear.) Mr Russell objected to the taxation of owners of motor cycles, who used the machines to a great extent to get to and from work. j The Bill was read a first time on the voices. The second reading was set down for Tuesday next. j CUTTING IT SHORT. BEER IN THE KING COUNTRY, j PRIME MINISTER DETERMINED, j To provide against the snowstorm of ; deputations that has set in, the Prime Minister is now cutting interviews as short as possible. When a party arrived from the King Country to discuss licensing matters his salutation was: "Now, I am going to hear any suggestions, but no speeches." The flood of eloquence which at least one member of the deputation had prepared was thus stemmed at the very outset. After a little conversation as to exactly how it was proposed to. alter the present very unsatisfactory conditions of affairs in the "Rohae potae," it transpired that what was wanted was the annulment of the proclamation against the sale of liquor in the Native area, and, if a three-fifths majority were found in favour of license, the trade should be placed under municipal control. "You are asking for a tremendous alteration in the policy of the State,'' said Mr Massey; "and I could not possibly commit the Government on such a matter. You are asking for municipal control of the liquor traffic. Mr A. H. Wilkie (Ohakune): Experience teaches that it will be an extremely payable control, and I feel convinced that after a time it will be universal. It is a case of open hotels or sly-grog shops. Mr E. Martin, (Te Kuiti): Can you hold out any hope to us of the annulment of the proclamation? Mr Mlissey: It is far too important a matter for any individual Minister to express an opinion about without the Consideration of the Cabinet. I would be inclined to go the length of prohibiting the whole of the Native population. | Mr Martin: They are prohibited now to a certain extent. Air Massev: The women are supposed to be. Mr J. Ormsbv (Otorohanga): As regards the Native population, there is not so much abuse in licensing districts as there is in the prohibited area. Mr Massey: I have reason to believe that the position in the King Country—so called —is very unsatisfactory. I don't think anything could be worse than the present position. Those who are entrusted with the administration of the law report that it is almost impossible to get a conviction. The disposal of liquor has been reduced almost to a science. I shall bring this matter before the Government, but, as far as the Licensing Bill is concerned, it will go to the second reading in its present form. I don't propose to amend the Bill, but you can get any private member to bring forward an amendment.