USER MUST PAY.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1109, 27 March 1930, Page 5

USER MUST PAY.

UPKEEP OF ROADS. A Burden on Farmers. De-rating Suggested. “So far as this county is concerned, the considerable sums received from the Highways Board do not fully compensate for the extra roading expenditure occasioned by motor traffic, a position which is felt by many local bodies.” The above paragraph in the engineer's report to the March meeting tof the Matamata County Council , some plain speech on be„half of farmers by members, who .held that the position was becoming '.very serious. “ If it is necessary to levy a higher '.benzine tax, then it should be . .levied,”' said Cr. Bruce. “ The tax on ratepayers is becoming far too hard, . .and they are not in a position to ] ." .stand it. At least 90 per cent, of the i cost of the main roads should be car- ( F. ried by the Main Highways Board, ► and the balance by farmers. This . proportion is more in accordance £ with a fair allocation.” Continuing, Cr. Bruce said the ( position was becoming very serious, and it appeared certain that they would have to call upon ratepayers to g again put their hands in their pockets for increased rates. He was * strongly of the opinion that the time was opportune to press for a higher [ subsidy.. The position should be put very plainly for many farmers had c reached a position in which they could hardly continue owing to the l burden of rates. In his opinion they should forward a remit to the counties conference. e Cr. Allen stated he quite agreed I with the remarks made. In many cases highways traffic was being di- d verted over by-roads. In his opinion the main solution was the de-rating s I - of farm lands. They should also ask for an increase in the benzine tax. Cr. Dee endorsed the remarks made stating that rates were now far too heavy a tax on the farmers. . The clerk mentioned that this | year’s rates were not coming in as •quickly as last year. The chairman remarked that dairy farmers should be all right though ] the position of grgziers and sheep j men was not so good. The idea of c the remit was a good one. Theirs } would not be the only one; there , would be a bunch of them. . Cr. Morriss stated tnere would be very serious complaint if the rates went up. It was farmers in the back blocks who were the worst off. Other members expressed unani- ■ f mous agreement with the remarks made and the proposal to send a remit to the counties’ conference se--1 cured unanimous support. * '