ROADS AND MOTORS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 931, 1 February 1924, Page 6

ROADS AND MOTORS.

THE TAXATION QUESTION. DISCUSSION BY - lION. J. G. COATES. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 30. Hie lion. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public t\ orks, attended a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and addresspd them on the proposals in connection with motor and highways taxation. The Go vernment, he said, wanted more revenue for the maintenance of roads. They were to hold a series of conferences with local bodies and motor interests, so that when Parliament met they would have tsome proposals on which they were more or less unanimous, and upon which Parliament could express its views. “I recognise,” said the Minister, “that- so far as local bodies are concerned, they are powerful influences in Parliament —possibly one of the most powerful influences we have in the country. Parliament last year appropriated £900.000 for road maintenance, and it could be assumed that local bodies had borrowed something like the same sum for road construction, yet the money had been spent in six or seven years, unu there was no sign that the money had been spent on the roads.” The Government could not continue paying out of the Consolidated I< und, as there were certain charges on that fund which could not be evaded. r lhey must look to the users of the roads contribute towards their maintenance. I'he 3000 miles which would come under Highways Board would require £300,000 for interest and maintenance. At the lowest estimate it was thought they would get £150,000 fioxu a tyre tax, and the balance from further motor taxes. If they were relying on local bodies to maintain roads for the amount of traffic that went on, they were relying on something that was not practical and would not work out. Xo one wanted more taxation, but if by a contribution from the user of a road they could give him a track on which he could run economically, a tax of a small amount would him. It was the economic cost of running a motor car that counted. If a car travelled 2COO miles the owner paid tax on petrol for 200'.'. miles. In a way it would regulate speed, as speed meant larger consumption, and excessive speed meant excessive tat, while a heavy load also meant heavy consumption. It was also proposed to tax motor cars at £5 each, lie hoped the Minister of Finance would give them a little from the tat on the bodies of cars, but he did not give that as a Ministerial statement. The petrol tax could be collected over the counter at less cost, lie thought this was the best way After the Minister left a motion was proposed favouring a tyre and petrol tax, but not a flat tax. Finally (he question w r as adjourned to the next- meeting of the executive and provincial executives.