HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES FOR STATE VEHICLES

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1949, Page 6

HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES FOR STATE VEHICLES

NAPIER, Feb. 17.

The non-payment of heavy traffic fees for vehicles owned by the State and used in trading activities was commented on at the Municipal Association conference this morning, when a remit was adopted asking the Crown to pay these fees. It was slated that Forestry Department and State Mines Department vehicles, which caused considerable wear and tear on roads were among those concerned.

Conflicting views on the financing of municipal libraries were presented to the conference this morning. A remit that the Government be asked to set up a commission to inquire into the present form of Government aid to libraries through the National Library Service, and report on the best means of extending the aid without impinging on local autonomy, was presented by Mr T. K, Sidey (Dunedin). Mr Sidey said that library service was educational and he considered that a substantial proportion of the finance for further development should be a national charge.

“We wish to be independent and yet we continue asking for Government assistance,” said Mr E. W. Nicolaus (Upper Hutt), opposing the remit. “If the people really want these things, they could easily ‘stump up’ their easily earned money to pay for them.” The remit was referred to the executive.