THE MOTOR BILL

Evening Star, Issue 17793, 15 October 1921, Page 10

THE MOTOR BILL

A HOSTILE RECEPTION.

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 14. Matters wore dull, and the House half empty to-night until the Afotor Vehicles Bill carno on for its second reading. Then interest revived, especially as tho opposition appeared evenly distributed regardless of party. The Hon. W." D. Stewart, Minister in charge, anticipating sonic of the objections, remarked that strong criticism had been directed against tho Bill because it was thought it intended to create a largo army of officials. “ There is no such purpose. It is proposed to use some of the existing Government officers.” said the Alinistcr, "but this has not been definitely settled. I had thought of utilising the police ; but they aro already overloaded, and I will have to look to another Government department for tho administration of the Bill.”

“ The Alinister tolls ns that unless the Highways Bill goes through this Bill, too, will have to be dropped; at least considerably modified,” said the Leader of the Opposition. “ Well, the Highways Bill is as dead na a'doornail, and is not going to get through. Realising this. what, is the use of imposing more taxation when the object for which it is imposed will not bo .realised:” Air Vernon Reed ; Wc will sen. Mr Wilford : Who are'“wo"?

Air Reed : The House. Air Wright wealed interest by announcing from tho Government benches that he would oppose the Bill from every point of view. It was unjust and unfair. Whatwas going to happen if tho Consolidated Revenue look all this new taxation? Once the uioncv got into the Consolidated Fund it would be’ a very difficult job to get it' out. It would bo very unjust to take from motorists money which would be spent on roads they did not use. They were city people, who mostly used the city roads. Mr Reed : Because, they cannot get out. Mr Wright declared that city roads had to be kept up by tho ratepayers, a great majority of whom could not afford motor cars, fie appealed to farming members to assist iu opposing such a manifestly unjust, un-British proposal. The Minister of Public Works came to tho rescue, as ho is interested in_ the Bill as being the financial basis of his highways measure. Ho declared it left the city councils and other local authorities in a better position than at present, because they would get all the license fees.

Mr Lilt; A homoeopathic amount. The Alinister declared that it could not bo denied that tho local authorities would be better off. (Laughter.) Ail opposition had centred around tho allocation ox money to be raised by the possible tax on tyres'and licensing fees, which could best bo discussed after the Bill had been before tho Special Committee which would hear evidence. There would be no opposition if tho local bodies wore allowed a pro rata allocation of revenue. This could be discussed on the Highways Bill. He did not like taxing on horse power, preferring the flat tax as a fairer method. The Leader of the Opposition asked why tho Bill had not been referred to a committee straight away. The Prime Alinister : It is a very thing to get discussion. Wo want to near the criticism.

Then tho critics resumed their story to thinly-occupied benches, Air Speaker on ono occasion taking a count to ascertain if tho quorum of twenty members was present. Tho Prime Alinister interposed in tho discussion to suggest that it was unnecessary to go further, as tho 'House need not sit late. Ho would adjourn if the debate was likely to last long. It was clear that better roads were needed, and money must bo raised for tho purpose. Everyone had his ideas about tho method of securing money ; but, whatever tho system, be believed something would bo evolved as tho result of the discussion which would give a satisfactory scheme.

In tho course of further discussion Air Dickson (Chalmers) favored the principle of taxing motor vehicles, but bo did not approve, of tho method of doing it which was adopted in the Bill. A tyro tax was preferable, and it could bo easily and cheaply collected through the Customs. If tho local bodies could be assured that tho money so raised would lie ear-marked for the use, bo thought much of the opposition to the Bill would disappear. The Bill was read a second time on the voices.