ROAD COSTS

Evening Star, Issue 19639, 19 August 1927, Page 4

ROAD COSTS

MOTORIST PAYS HALF PREMIER'S SIGNIFICANT STATEMENTS IS MOTOR TAXATION TO BE DOUBLED? . pk Oup. Pabliamestarv Repoiuee.] WELLINGTON, August IS. The Prime Minister gave a fairly plain hint to the House during the financial debate to-day that a heavier contribution will have to be paid by road users to relievo what he regarded as the overpowering burden of local rates, which handicapped the producers. . Several speakers during the debate, he said, had declared that motor cars were responsible lor a good deal of our economic trouble. In another case it was suggested that the tanners had too many motor ears. It was not possible for any Government to control tlie activities" of individuals in the way of saying what they should or should not buy.

Mr Milford: T hope you won’t try. Mr Coates: 11 No; 1 think there is 'just a little bit too much of that already, but I say definitely it is a matter for the individual himself.” It was j unto possible, he continued, to quote Hundreds of caws where people had icceptcd responsibilities' on time payment which they found impossible to nay off, but that did not get away irom the fact (and he was referring in this instance to the farming community) that, while tlie Government was not going to say what they should liny, it was hot going ’to assist him to buy luxuries. LOCAL RATE BURDEN. One of the factors affecting the farming community was that local rating was a. Jar heavier burden on them than any Government taxation in existence. He would not go into all the details, but ho would venture on one or two points which would help to reveal the position. One was the charge for maintenance of roads. _ 'The Highways Act had specified certain roads as main highways, and, while this schedule did not give general satisfaction, it was a well-thought-out scheme to endeavor to get better roads, and to cast the natural cost of those roads on to the people who used them. While this ,-cherno had not been able to realise all they thought necessary, they could not get" away from _ the point that the amount of taxation per car, including tyre tax, was £3 per annum, but the actual cost of road maintenance per war was £6 per annum. “And,”-asked the Prime Minister, f‘ who'is 'paying that extra £3?” Mr Lysnar: The ratepayers! Mr Coates* Exactly! To a groat extent the ratepayers in country districts are finding the £3 which should really bo found by those who use the roads (“Hear, hear”). I quote this point, which occurred in my search to discover the basis of the difficulties, as they reveal themselves. It clearly shows that those using the roads arc either asking for something not economical. or if it is economical, then obviously those who want better roads ought’ to contribute a greater proportion of the cost of the higher type of road. The Government has a scheme. Mr Milford: Mhat about the man whose property is improved by good roads? The Prime Minister' replied that m any case his local value went up, and ],o automatically paid more rates. Later on the House would have the opportunity of listening to the Government’s proposals in regard to this very difficult problem which faced the country, and particularly the country settlor—indeed the motorist himself, “ While I do not say that all the balance comes off the man on the land, the case does indicate that rural districts are being asked for a type of road which they do not require for themselves.” Mr Ransom; Are you prepared to extend the national highways system to the backblocks? Mr Coates* I will not pursue the matter further, but will leave that thought ns it is; and later on T, or ono of my colleagues, will have the opportunity of placing before the House a scheme which, _ I hope, will give a measure; of satisfaction. It we go on at tlie rate wc arc_ going_ to-day, the primary producer will be in a difficult position. It amounts to a rent in my own district of £1 to 30s an acre. lilt* Rhodes: It will put him out of action. . Mr Coates: What we are trying to do is to assist the primary producer, the man on whom the country depends for its prosperity: and if he is unable to keep HjS head above ■water, then the effect is seen in decreased production. Mr Glenn: The farmer is really entitled to a car, though three of your Ministers say he is not. Mr Coates* “I have not heard that statement.” Ho added that he had met a gentleman who put up his car after the war, and had only taken one trip to Wanganui, which cost £10; and the car was still locked up. Mr Samuel; I would not like to buy that car now. (Laughter.)