MOTORISTS’ PROTEST

Evening Star, Issue 20253, 14 August 1929, Page 2

MOTORISTS’ PROTEST

GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL CONDEMNED " A DISTINCT BREACH OF FAITH " Strong _ resentment against the proposed action of the Government of dispensing with the transfer of £200,000 from the Consolidated Revenue to the Highways Account was expressed at last night’s meeting of tho Otago Motor Club, all those, present entering an emphatic protest against tho suggestion. In a letter to the- club the South Island Motor Union urged that it should cc-operate in a protest against the diversion x by the Government of any part of the" petrol tax for purposes other than those provided for in tho Act. It was pointed out that the motorists practically asked for taxation to be imposed on them for the improvement of the highways, and submitted to the Government in 1922 proposals on the lines on which the Main Highways Act was drafted The Government, after a conference with the motor unions, agreed as to the form of taxation and tho amount to be contributed out of the Consolidated Fund. Tho union was of the opinion that this amount, instead of being discontinued, should bo increased, owing to the much greater mileage of roads since taken over as part of tbo highways system. The point to be considered was tho proposal to break what was rightly thought by the motoring organisations to bo an honourable agreement and compact made between the motorists and the Government when the provisions of tlx- Act were being discussed “It is something hew for any Govcrnmen J to refuse to contribute some amount to the reading of tho country,” stated the Chairman (Mr H. ITalliday). “Tins Government has turned round and says that, because it cannot make its accounts balance, it does not intend to make the allocation.” This matter had been exorcising the minds of motor association members for the last fortnight, and tho announcement was viewed with much alarm. They had adopted th policy of absolutely ignoring party politics, but if any Government intended to go back on its word they might have to change their tactics The position had arisen by reason of the fact that the revenue from tho petrol tax iiad exceeded e>:pcctatioxm by some £327,000. The Highways Board was receiving greater revenue wit! the result that allocations wer below the rexenue

“The Government must not be allowed to evade its responsibility, and •t '? quit ■ w Trig for it to say that the motopsls are going to bo liable fer t u e roaus. IV3 do not intend to enter i protest in the meantime, until we see that the Government is clctormk'd upon adopting the proposed "olicy. I hope that drastic measures, such as the holding of a protest meeting, can be avoided.” Mi Hallidav then asked for a motion on tin. subjec . Otn member stated that it wa: difficult for the body of the member, to express their indignation, and suggested that the motion should come from the committee. Mi A I V . Wood brought forward tho following motion, which was seconded by Mx H. A. Salmon and carried unanimously —“That this meeting views with alarm the recently published stateme: t that the Government does not intend to transfer the sum of £2OO,(XX from the Consolidated Fund to the Highways Account This is a distinct breach oi faith on the part of the Governme* as the Act provides that not less than this amount should bo transferred each year, and it was on this understanding that motorists agreed to the taxation under the Act. This meeting urges all representatives to oppose strenuously any such action on tlio part cf the Government, as this would throw Ml liability of the reading of tho country on to the motorists.”