MOTOR TAXATION

Clutha Leader, Volume XLI, Issue 1, 10 July 1914, Page 2

MOTOR TAXATION

DISCUSSED BY BRUCE COUNCIL. Mr D. Boyd, chairman of the Bruce County Council, at the dune meeting of his council reintroduced the subject of motor taxation, and had a motion carried that neighbouring local bodies be asked to send delegates, to a conference (to be arranged by the Bruce council) ,to consider the question. At its meeting on Tuesday the council received replies from several local bodies in response to the invitation to send delegates. .1. Logan, clerk Taieri County Council, wrote that Councillors Blackie and Freeman and the writer had been appointed by the Taieri council as delegates at the proposed conference re motor traffic. Notifications of other delegates appointed were: Clutha, Councillor James Begg; Waikouaiti, Councillor Alex. Kilpatrick; Balclutha borough, Mr E. .). Boyd. The clerk Vincent County Council wrote that his council was in sympathy with the movement and would ask its representatives, Hon. W. Fraser and Mr Scott, M's.P., to support the measure. A notification was also received that Mosgiel Borough Council would appoint a delegate.

The Chairman said it would bo noticed that the Government intended to bring in legislation governing motor traffic, and lie thought the conference should be held in Dunedin this month so'that any recommendations made could be forwarded on to Wellington. Councillor Clark then moved that the arranging of a conference be left with the chairman and clerk, and Councillors Boyd and Driver wore appointed to represent the council at the conference.—Carried.

Councillor Boyd then invited councillors to express their opinions and suggestions in reference to controlling and taxing motor traffic. There was the question whether the cars should be taxed according to horse-power or weight or by tyres. .Councillor Clarke; 1 think we should tax them by their weight. It is impossible to fairly tax by the tyres, as there are so many different kinds of tyres.

Councillor Scott thought the tax should be made on tyres. The man who used the most tyres travelled the most. Councillor Clark: But the motor lorries, which are heaviest, have solid tyres.

Mr King favoured taxing on horsepower. With competition there would be changes in tyres, and these changes would consequently make changes in the system of taxation necessary.

Councillor Begg favoured taxingtyres, and considered the Government should give a £ for £ subsidy to local bodies on all taxes collected from motors or tyres to assist in the maintenance of main roads.

Councillor Russell also favoured taxing tyres. The Chairman said that at the counties' conference a proposal to tax motors did not find any favour. He believed that the Government should not collar all the taxes. It was really the country roads which suffered from the traffic, and if a tax was made on tyres, and this money was distributed on the basis of capital value, the country would not derive much benefit. The main thing to get some compensation to local bodies for damage done to roads by motor traffic.