USE OF MOTOR TAXATION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22465, 28 July 1938, Page 18

USE OF MOTOR TAXATION

CANTERBURY PROPOSAL CRITICISED CONFIDENCE IN POLICY OF GOVERNMENT [THE PRESS Special Service.] WESTPORT, July 27. Strong disapproval of the proposal of the Canterbury Progress League that all local bodies and others concerned in the reading question should join in an effort to urge the Government to devote the whole proceeds of motor taxation to reading purposes, was expressed by the Mayor (Mr J. Kilkenny), at the meeting of the Westport Borough Council to-night. The circular received from the league stated that a report prepared by its highways committee showed that a large proportion of the motor spirits tax was being credited to the Consolidated Fund and used for the general purposes of Government. Figures were quoted to show that almost half of the motor taxation collected was used for other purposes than reading. The Mayor said that the circular had too much political significance and seemed to be an effort to harass the present Government. He said that the council received £7OO from the Main Highways Fund last year. He moved that the proposal not be supported, and that the Prime Minister be advised that the council was satisfied with the manner in which the Main Highways fund was being administered, stating that any other decision by the council would be a reflection on a Government that was doing great work and the most capable Minister for Public Works in the history of the Dominion. The Mayor mentioned especially the wonderful improvements to the Buffer Gorge and other roads near Westport. Cr. W. P. Caldwell said it was amusing to hear criticism of the present Government when the former administration had used £500,000 out of the Highway Fund to balance its Budget. He considered that the Government was doing its best to make the country worth living in.