TAXING THE USER

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 108, 7 May 1926, Page 10

TAXING THE USER

THE EOAD-BILL PEOBLEM,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

HAMILTON, 6th May. The Hamilton Borough Council last night carried a resolution, viewing with tho gravest concern the increasing burden which is being placed on ratepayers in respect of the foundation and maintenance of streets, and expressing the opinion that such increased '-arges are due solely to damage caused by motor traffic, that the whole of these charges was a totally inequitable burden on the ratepayers, and that the Government be strongly urged to introduce the necessary legislation during the coming session to transfer an equitable portion of this burden i' om the ratepayer to the user of roads and streets. I The council is to submit for the consideration of the Government the following suggestion:—"That the present annual license fee per vehicle per annum be substantially increased, such increase to be paid to the local authority in whose territory the vehicle is garaged; that a tax be levied on all petrol passed through pumps installed for the distribution of petrol, such tax 1 be paid direct to the local authority in whose district such pumps are installed; and that the net proceeds from the foregoing be used exclusively on the formation or maintenance of streets or roads within the territory of such local authority.".