NEW ROADING PROJECTS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 15

NEW ROADING PROJECTS

Finance Methods Discussed

The additional 4d a gallon petrol tax still remaining from the 1958 Budget should be removed before it was considered whether to finance major new roading projects from taxation or by loans, said Mr E. S. Casbolt. president of the council of the Automobile Association (Canterbury), when the council met last evening. Mr Casbolt was commenting on the news that £4.500,000 would be needed by the National Roads Board to compensate owners for land taken for Auckland urban motorways, and the suggestion that petrol tax should be imposed to find the money. There would be a new outlet route from Christchurch “in the very near future,” and another was scheduled for Dunedin, llr Casbolt said. To finance those projects, were they going to have higher petrol tax or were they going to have borrowing?

“We have been pressing for the lifting of the additional 4d tax first before it is considered whether we have additional tax or loans for highways," Mr Casbolt said.

Failing the abolition of the remaining 4d a gallon tax. could it not be paid into the National Roads Board's funds rather than the Consolidated Fund? asked Dr. R. G. Mathieson. Mr F. W. Freeman said that the question was probably “the most complex one” motorists had to face.

The best solution seemed to be to get the additional 4d a gallon off. “and then get a loan.” Discussion lapsed after Mr E. C. Champion suggested the ques-

tion be not debated further, but considered at the council’s next meeting.