"SOMEWHAT EMBARRASSING."

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 218, 12 September 1923, Page 4

"SOMEWHAT EMBARRASSING."

LOSS OF HIGHWAYS REVEHtTE. BILL THAT DID XOT PASS. (By Telegraph.—Press AssocUtloaV* WELLINGTON, this da}. A somewhat embarrassing situation iM arisen in the administration of the Mtia Highways Act, owing to the fact thit revenue is not forthcoming from motor vehicle taxation. It was anticipated when the Main Highways Bill was «übmitted to Parliament in 1922 that i ■Motor Vehicle Bill would also be introduced and passed. It was from the lastnamed t>lll that the Government expected to secure an annual revenue o! £150,000 to supplement contritratioi* from the Consolidated Fund, the Public Works Fund, and moneys accruing from Customs duties on tyres. Owing to failure to reach agreement with motoring organisations as to the rate of taxation to be paid the Motor Vehicles Bill had perforce to be dropped, bo that the source of revenue disappeared. Meantime the work of grouping counties into highways districts is proceeding, the North Island districts being practically settled. Although its revenue will be considerably less than anticipated, the ■board intends to carry out its functions ac far as practicable. A census of local ibodies' road making plant is being taken, the estimated value of this being about £500,000 sterling. The organisation and effective use of this plant will occupy the board and district councils as soon as the census is complete. With a view to investigating the quality, life, and value of read surfacing materials, arrangements are being made to set up a ibureau of information under the Main Highways "Board, as soon as the grouping of districts i 3 disposed of.