USE OF MOTOR TAXES

Grey River Argus, 6 October 1934, Page 5

USE OF MOTOR TAXES

MUNICIPAL CRITICISM Too Many Cars ? (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Oetobej 5. Various aspects of motor ♦ovation from the point of view of local bodies was dealt with in the sditement on behalf of the Municipal Associat on. re'ad bv Mr * f . O’Shea, Willington City Soli'-itor, at the Transport Co-ordii ation Hoard toSr.mming up, he said that boroughs in the past had received very scant considerat’on, and !ooke<| to the Cooidination Board if anv tjfeiation were made, to provide son.* scheme that would give an equitable system of distribution of the moneys. He said the figures showed that the 'distribution fur the maintenance of streets shou’d be somewhat i n proportion to the use of The streets by motor vehicles in the re-peHwo areas.

This applied not only to h p a\y traffic fees, but to petrol tax and registrat on fees. 'The '.original regulations governing heavy traffic fees provided ‘hat (hose fees should bo distributed mainly according to use. The Municipal Association was of opinion that any appeal in respect to :ny distribu'ion in default of an agreement should be io a judicial officer and not to the Minister. It a British constitutional axiom . 'hat the judiciary should bo absolutely and completely divorced from the oxeeiv

Mr O’Shea saij the points made bv Air Walkey yesterday “a the ieet of derating had very substantial foundation but derating nt the expense of other people who paid the rates, was unfair. lie fe’t that two much was be'ng spent on .roads and too many demands were -.uadi n «' motorists ami local bodies and everyone. Tn his view, most of the heavy traffic work should be done on the railways, and the policy of the Government should do away with the grossly excessive cut in connection with motor traffic. Air O’Sheu ‘ook the vew that heavy taxation of motoring served a good pivpose, if i - prevented people, who had not 'he means, from running cars. No person with a salary under £4OO -hould run n car unless in regard to his business. Motor traffic, he said shoud l»o limited, ana speeds and load< controlled.

are cars an extravagance? (For Press Asswiat'oi!.') WELLINGTON, October 5. Tn his motor taxation statement, Mr O’Shea, continuing, contended that, people with insufficient means should not be encouraged to run motor cars and to land themselves in financial difficulties. When two shillings per gallon had to be paid for petrol he did not think that the ordinary man, earning up to £3OO a yef* r . c°uld afford to use a motor car. Mr O’Shea next dealt with the. apportionment of the share of the petrol fax which ho considered should be given cities and boroughs, and also with the allocation of the heavy traffic fees.

The inquiry was adjourned till tomorrow, when evidence is to be ten 'dered b;- the Main Highways Board.