THE TOLL BRIDGE

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 28, 2 August 1932, Page 6

THE TOLL BRIDGE

3IOTORISTS' VIEW

"FOOTBALL OF POLITICIANS"

TheParemata toll bridge question was briefly discussed at the meeting of the Wellington Automobile Club last night, but no further action was taken.

t'l think we have dono our bit," said Mr. E.'Palliser. "I don't think we cau take it any further."

The chairman (Mr. E. A. Batt) said the attitude adopted by the club had been frightfully misrepresented. There had been a large number of anonymous letters, the writers of > which either were very biased .or did not understand th situation, It was absolutely iinpossiblo to expect motorists to provide nearly £3,000,000 by way of taxation, •■ and" then pay tolls as well. The Acting Minister of Public Works had not hesitated to say that he would be glad'to grant toll.bridge rights in any part of Now Zealand.

:Mr.:Palliser: "Thank goodness he's not: tho Minister in charge." • ; < •Mr. Batt::««If we don't fight it out wo ,may : very.'.easily have tho toll-gate system introduced into New Zealand from one'end of the country to the other. : They are fighting against tollgates ;in America, Australia, and England." '

.Mr. A. L. Warburton: "I dare say you will find that when Mr. Coates returns to New. Zealand ho will take quite a differeut view of the matter. Nothing definite will be done until Mr. Coates returns." -

Mr. Batt: "I.think that will bo the position. . , , We have never wanted to deny tho Plimmerton people their bridge, but wo must stand by the principle that we are opposed to tollgates. The Minister's reply shows how easy it is to get into the hands of the politicians. We will have the same position as in America. The question will be the football of politics." The discussion then lapsed.