"RAID" ON HIGHWAYS FUND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 10

"RAID" ON HIGHWAYS FUND.

OPPOSITION ORGANISING-.

"STAGGERING CHARGES" FEARED,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Friday.

Speakers at a meeting of the South Island Motor Union to-day expressed their determination to fight the Government on its raid on: the-main highways fund. In this fight they intend to seek the co-operation of-the counties and the Farmers' Unions. Before next session, when further legislation-will be necessary to continue the petrol tax, a conference Sf these bodies will be held- to discuss the finances: of the Main 'Highways Board. > . • ; -. : Mr: E. A. An&ell, M.P.,- said, he thought that the Government's action violated the contract sealed by legislation. "Nothing more serious than this'raid on the highways funds has happened in the his- J tory of motoring in this country," said | Mr. Ansell. "You all know the details. There-is a total of £516,000 which is now a- charge on the highways fund, which- it formerly was not. The interests .of the counties are identical with those of motorists. Originally the subsidies paid to counties on the rates were free grants, but now the Government says they" are not. This means that. the counties are to be saddled with an in-; creasing charge each year for .interest; and sinking fund, until the amount he- 1 , comes staggering." . - Mr. H. Halliday (Otago), said-_ the union had always been a, non-political-body, but he was afraid they would have to change that and-take f'6.politics. The present Government, lie thought, could not last long. ........ j'..-, . ,'