TOLL-GATES
TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —The attention of this union has been directed to the report of a recent interview between the Hon. tho Minister of Public Works and the Wellington Automobile Club on the subject of toll gates. If the Minister's reply has been correctly reported, it would seem that in the near future motor and other traffic is likely to be subject to double taxation, viz., taxation by the General Government for the upkeep of roads generally and taxation by local bodies through toll-gates for local needs.
This union lias for some years past voiced the readiness of all motorists to contribute their proper share of the cost of new road-making methods required to meet the new conditions created by tho development 'of motor transport, but it will certainly oppose to the utmost of its ability the imposition cf any additional taxation by means of toll-gates, which are a relic of past days, when a general road policy was not in vogue. To.revert now to this ancient,: expensive, and inefficient system will be a retrograde step, very detrimental to the development of inland transport and the consequent restriction of trade. It will, if carried to its logical conclusion, lock up the country in. a number oE "watertight compartments," coinciding, in number with the already excessive number of local authorities existing in Now Zealand.
Tho freedom of tlie highways is an essential factor in the development of the Dominion, and these highways must bo constructed and maintained by general taxation levied or- all who 'benefit by the road development, such levy to be proportionate to the extent of such use or to the extent of such benefit. The shutting up of localities into local taxing areas, unrelated to the general taxation, must not be permitted. Your sub-leader of this 4th inst., on "Charges on Users of Roads," is a valuable contribution to an important qnestiom, and is appreciated by my union.—l am, etc., W. BFAUCHAMP PLATTS, Secretary N.Z. Aulonfobile Union.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19210706.2.79
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 5, 6 July 1921, Page 6
Word Count
331TOLL-GATES Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 5, 6 July 1921, Page 6
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