MOTOR TAXATION.

Bruce Herald, Volume L, Issue 57, 27 July 1914, Page 3

MOTOR TAXATION.

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES.

TYRE TAX FAVOURED

At the instigation of the Bruce County Council a conference of neighbouring local bodies was held in the Early Settlers' Hall, Dunedin, on Thursday to discuss the question of motor traffic. Eight county councils, a similar number of borough councils, and one road board were represented. Mr D. Boyd (chairman of the Bruce County Council) presided. Mr E. J. Boyd represented Balclutha and Mr J. Edwards Clutha County.

The Chairman said ho. thought it would be wise to break the matter up into two issues—namely, as to whether the meeting - of delegates deemed it desirable that some form of taxation should be placed 011 motors, and if so what form it should take. Local bodies should got some adequate return for the damage done by motors. He had previously advocated a tax on tyres, and since then he had seen 110 reason to alter his opinion. The Government were at present engaged putting a Bill through dealing with the matter, but he thought that they would have been well advised if they had taken the lead or asked for a lead from the local bodies, who were in close touch with the matter. He thought that if the present Bill went through it would be to the detriment of the whole Dominion, and would operate very unfairly. He thought that if there was a duty imposed 011 tyres and the money expended on the main roads of the Dominion it would fairly deal with . the question. Whoever used tyres also used the roads.

Mr Edwards (Clutha) said he was of the same opinion as the chairman. A tyro tax would be the best way. A power tax would be a very unfair tax. They should protest strongly against a power tax. He moved that the meeting consider a tax on tyres the best method of taxation. It was asked if this tax would include motor cycles, and an affirmative answer was received. After discussion tho motion was carried. Further discussion took place on tho question of what roads should benefit by the expenditure of the tax, and a motion was carried to the effect that they include "all roads used for motor traffic within a certain radius." It was decided to support the Government's Bill in regard to licensing of drivers, and a motion that "the owner of a car be made jointly responsible with the driver for accidents" was carried. A motion was also carried asking the Government tOxfix a definite speed limit or empower local bodies to do so; maximum speed 20 miles an hour. On the motion of Mr King (Milton) and Mr E. J. Boyd (Balclutha) it was decided to recommend that all boroughs be appointed registering authorities.