OF NO AVAIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 274, 1 September 1939, Page 6

OF NO AVAIL

PROTESTS BY COUNTY. “SOMETHING MORE WANTED." LOSS OF £BOO IN FEES. “ Our perquisites are being filched from us and if w r e take it lying down, we will get more of these things. Protests are getting us nowhere, and we should approach the other Counties with a view to doing something more than protest.” This statement w T as made by Mr J. Moore at the meeting of the Ashburton County Council to-day when the proposal of the Government to take over the issue of licences to motor drivers was before the Council. It was stated that the scheme w'ould mean a loss of £BOO to the Council, winch, with other local bodies, might have to give up its traffic inspector. The question arose when the Chairman (Mr H. J. Crothers) presented the following statement: — “ The Transport Amendment Bill, which has been introduced to Parliament, provides measures for the better control of transport, and also makes provision for the issue of motor drivers’ licences by the Post and Telegraph Department, instead of by the local bodies, as at present. “For many years, the issue of motor drivers’ licences has been the responsibility of the local bodies, which have developed a very efficient system and employed a qualified staff to undertake this very important work. It has been handled in a very efficient manner, and every care has been taken that licences are issued only to applicants w r ho prove themselves qualified to drive. Many Counties employ capable traffic officers to regulate and control the traffic in their respective areas, the cost of wliieh is defrayed from the fees received. These foes are also an important source of revenue to the local bodies.

“If this proposal is passed, a very serious position will arise. Local bodies’ will be unable to continue employing their traffic inspectors unless other work is available for them, the system of the issue of licences will be demolished, and a source of revenue will be lost. The issue of the licences by the Government officers will necessitate the employment of additional public servants, causing unnecessary increased costs of government, with a further increase of taxation. “In addition, the joss of the revenue (in this County over £BOO a year) will place another burden on the farming community, as additional rates to that extent will be necessary. I have therefore communicated with our Parliamentary representatives 1 , Messrs Burnett and Grigg, expressing the Council’s concern at the unfairness of the proposal.” In a discussion on the point it was stated that the loss would be .a serious one to the County, and the Council should join with other local bodies in making a protest to the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. (Semple) during his visit to the irrigation works on Monday. Mr J. Carr said the farming community was very concerned over the question and that of the petrol tax. The Council decided to send forward a protest and to join in a deputation to the Minister on Monday. It was stated that of the 5s fee, Gd would bo taken by the Post Office for collection, 2s 3d w’ould go to the Consolidated Fund, and 2s 3d to Boroughs of over 6000 population, while the Counties would not receive anything.