TAX ON MOTORS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 58, 4 March 1913, Page 5

TAX ON MOTORS.

RECOMMENDS!) BY COUNCIL,

At Friday's meeting of the Clutha County Council Councillor J. C. Begg. moved:—"That it be a recommendation to the Government and a suggestion to other local bodies that a tax of ss' per horse-power per annum be made throughout the Dominion on motor vehicles for the first year after purchase, with a 20 per cent, reduction on vehicles two years old, 40 per cent, on three years, and 60 per cent, on those over four years old, this tax to be collected by the Government and used for the upkeep 6f mail: roads.'' The mover spoke of the everincreasing number of motors, aiitt the damage done by them to the roads. He thought it high time for motorists to be compelled to pay something tdwards the upkeep of the roads.

The motion was seconded by Councildor Gumming. Councillor Nieol, in supporting the motion, said it could not be denied that motor ears did a lot of harm to roads.

Councillor Mitchell thought that in fairness to all the men who made their living by using the roads should also be taxed, and he asked, '' Why not tax .livery stables, tool" Councillor Edwards said the motion was hardly fair. A farmer was not taxed for driving a buggy on a road, but if he discarded that vehicle and went in for a motor he would be taxed. The Chairman: Quite right, too, if he can afford to buy a car. A Councillor: You must be going in for a car, Councillor Edwards. 1 Councillor Edwards said he was not speaking from an interested motive, but he wanted to see fairness. Why should a new car be taxed heavier than an old one? He thought an old car would cause just as much harm to the roads as a new one.

The motion was carried. » Councillor Begg explained to th& Leader representative subsequent!}' that his idea was that when a man bought a second-hand car or bicycle he would be taxed according to the age of the vehicle from its first sale.