HIGHWAYS FUND

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 239, 27 September 1930, Page 8

HIGHWAYS FUND

GOVERNMENT’S “RAID” MOTORISTS UP IN ARMS. CO-OPERATION OF COUNTIES TO BE SOUGHT. Christchurch, Sept. 26. Speakers at a meeting of the South Island Motor Union to-day expressed determination to fight the Government on its raid on the Main Highways Fund. In this fight they intend to seek the co-operation of counties and farmers’ unions. Before next session, when further legislation will be necessary to continue the petrol tax, a conference of these bodies will discuss the finances of the Highways Board.

Speaking at a meeting to-day Mr. A. E. Ansell, M.P. for Chalmers, held that the Government’s action violated a contract sealed by legislation. “Nothing more serious than this raid on the Highways Fund has happened in the history of motoring in this country,” said Mr. Ansell. “You all know the details. There is a charge on the Highways Fund which formerly was not. The interests of the counties are identical with those of motorists. Originally the subsidies paid to counties on rates were free grants, but now the Government says they are not. This means that the counties are to be saddled with an increasing charge each year for interest and sinking fund till the amount becomes staggering.” Mr. H. Halliday (Otago) said the union had always been a non-political body, but he was afraid they would have to change that and take to politics. The present Government, he thought, could not last long.