MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 October 1930, Page 6

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

MOTORISTS’ REPRESENTATION

[per press association.]

WELLINGTON, October 1

Alterations to the present constitution of the Main Highways Board were advocated by the Papakura Chamber of Commerce in a letter received at a meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. The letter stated that in order to give effect to the well established principle there be no taxation without adequate representation. The Chamber is of the opinion that the Main Highways Board should consist of one representative of the Public Works Department, two representatives (one from each Island) appoint ed by motor associations, two representatives appointed by the Counties’ Association, one representative appointed by Municipalities and one representative appointed by commercial motor vehicle owners. For the current, year, practically the whole of the receipts would be obtained from motorists. Motor owners’ representation on the Board was at present one member, with three Government members and two Counties’ members. The Chamber submitted that as motorists found the greater part of the funds made available to the Board, their representatives should be increased to three, at.the expense of the Government representatives, more particular ly in view of the fact that according to the latest advices the Government would not be finding out of general funds, any part of the moneys used by the Board. “It seems to be a perfectly reasonable request,” said the Chairman (Mr D. J. McGowan). “Motorists are finding nearly all money. Why should they not have more than one-sixth of the say?” Tho Wellington Chamber endorsed the views of the Papakura Chamber.