ROADS BOARD FUNDS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28436, 16 November 1957, Page 12

ROADS BOARD FUNDS

Political Parties

Uphold System

Assurances that they have no intention of altering the present system of financing the National Roads Board, whereby all taxation from motorists is applied to road and bridge construction, have been received by the South 'lsland Motor Union from the three major parties contesting the General Election.

In letters to the parties, the I secretary of the union (Mr M. F. Foate) said that all the automobile associations it represented had always been closely interested in the work of the Roads Board, and greatly appreciated the progress made in improving the roading system since the board was established in 1953. At times, there had been suggestions for altering the method of providing revenue and its disposal. “This union and its affiliations, representing about 93.000 private motorists, have always been strongly opposed to any such suggestions,” Mr Foate said. The recent annual conference decided to seek an assurance from all political parties that they would uphold the present system if elected to power. “The Government has no thought of departing from its established principle that taxation received from motorists should be spent on the roads.” said the leader of the National Party (Mr Holyoake) in his reply. “It is not the intention of the Labour Party, when elected as the Government, to alter the present practice of providing funds for road construction,” said the leader of the Labour Party (Mr Nash).

"We are, after consideration, pleased to give an unequivocal assurance that this league, when elected to office, will uphold the present legislation covering the disposal of road funds at present administered by the National Roads Board,” said the Dominion secretary of the Social Credit Political League (Mr J. E. Colechin).