MAIN HIGHWAYS LEGISLATION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27445, 3 September 1954, Page 12

MAIN HIGHWAYS LEGISLATION

APPROVAL OF “USER” TAX

REPORT OF AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

“The most important development during the year in connexion with highways was the setting up by the Government of the new National Roads Board,” says the report of the secretary (Mr J. S. Hawkes) and the joint secretary (Mr E. S. Palliser) to be presented to the fifty-first annual general meeting of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) on September 29.

“When the appropriate legislation was first introduced into Parliament, the association registered a protest against a number of points, the principal ones of which were the substantial increase in car registration fees; the off-setting of a potential reduction of 3d a gallon in the price of petrol by a corresponding tax increase; and the failure of the Governnient to implement in full the recommendations of the Roading Investigation Committee regarding the Government contribution to the roading fund. Although these objections were not sustained, the association records its satisfaction at the fact that all motorists’ taxation is now recognised as a user tax and will be applied directly on the roads,” says the report. “The association now exerts a not/ inconsiderable influence over the expenditure of the vast funds which are under the jurisdiction of the National Roads Board, through the motor unions’ representative on the board, Mr F*. W. Breen, and through the association’s own representatives on the District Roads Councils within its territory, Messrs F. W. Freeman, W. F. Harley and W. G. Prosser. Among the major benefits which will shortly accrue to motorists will be the provision of a dustless highway from Christchurch to Picton and the provision of an all-weather route to the West Coast via the Lewis Pass,” the report says. During the year the target of 30,000 members set for the association’s golden jubilee was reached and comfortably passed. Four thousand three hundred and twenty-five new mem; bers were enrolled while 1750 names were deleted from the register on account of deaths, transfers and resignations. The net increase of 2575 brought the association’s total membership at the close of the year under review to 31,743.