ROAD REVENUES.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 171, 21 July 1924, Page 7

ROAD REVENUES.

AND LOCAL BODY POWERS. HOPES IN MOTOR VEHICLES BIIX. INEFFECTIVE AUTHOBITY. The position of the City Council and other local authorities as a consequence of the Supreme Court judgment last week reducing the taxi license fees fixed by the corporation, was discussed this morning by the Mayor, Sir James Gunson, in answer to a question on the subject. "The Council accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court without any question or reservation." said the Mayor. '"We offer uo opinion about a decision of this kind. It would be improper for us to do so. as it is the function of that high authority to interpret the law. It confirms, however, what the Council for some time has contended respecting the obsolescence and inadequacy of the present statute in regard to all classes of traffic, and to the totally ineffective position in which local governing bodies are placed. The Council has no fault at all to find with the judgments of magistrates and judges, but it has eerious cause for anxiety and concern respecting the ineffectiveness of its present statutory powers. Steps are being taken in conjunction with all other local authorities, as soon as the Motor Vehicles Bill is available, to have the whole position fully considered regarding all classes of traffic. With the development of Auckland city and the suburban areas, to pay nothing of the inn in highway developments, and the principal roads of the province, one of the most pressing questions for local authorities is that relating to traffic, its adequate control, and the enforcement of substantial fees for the use of the road. I think that this is now recognised by the Government, and local authorities everywhere are expecting to find in the Motor Vehicles Bill adequate and reasonable provision to meet the exigencies of modern conditions, to enable them to solve the serious problems in the matter of road facilities that have a direct bearing upon public expenditure and revenue from legitimate sources. Such powers as are necessary do not appear to bo possessed at the present time. One thing is quite clear — the anomalies which now obtain, and the total inadequacy of the existing powers of local authorities cannot long continue without proper remedies. Tl.e time has arrived when far greater authority must be placed in local governing bodies. These :<.re all elected by the jwoplc, and against them the people have adequate recourse and control. But if local government is to be effective, and is to occupy that position in tho community which is in the interest of the people, then the requisite power must be granted to it.