FARM LANPS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 101, 2 May 1933, Page 5

FARM LANPS

DERATING QUESTION

motorists' Views

"Farmers' organisations arc at th« moment fairly active in a revival of their demands for derating of farm lands," said Mr. E. A,3att, chairman of the executive of the Wellington Automobile Club, at a meeting of thi executive last night. Tho methods advocated by some sections of the Farmers' Union, said Mr. batt, were fairly revolutionary, but'ha did" not think they would; succeed by such methods. However, it was not surprising that tho demands should b» revived, for, although motor taxation had been substantially increased, particularly during tho past two years, the relief to rural ratepayers from the Main Highway Fund had been gradually reduced. Motor taxation imposed primarily for the purpose of providing funds to be spent on'the roads and to give indirect relief to county; ratepayers hail been diverted ,to relieve the Consolidated Fund. s If the whole of the motor taxation was spent on roading, undoubtedly the farmers would have obtained considerable re* lief in the matter of rating. It seemed to Mr. Batt that instead of demanding higher taxation 'on road Users the farmers' organisations should endeavour to have all motor taxation spent oil roading instead of being used for Consolidated Fund purposes. The present motor' taxation would be found to b« more than adequate if it was applied in the right direction. It was resolved to'bring the. matter under the North Island Motor Unioa for urgent attention.