MOTORISTS’ FUNDS.

Mt Benger Mail, 21 March 1934, Page 4

MOTORISTS’ FUNDS.

DISCUSSION BY UNION. South Island Conference. I mmmm I ... .. Nelson, March 12. t The South Island Motor Union has decided to approach the Government with a request that £500,1)00 per annum diverted from the petrol taxation to the Consolidated Fund bo retained in the Highways Board’s funds in the interest of national economy and hi the interest of the national asset of

the highways. Mr F. W. Freeman {Canterbury) said this was one of the n.ost important matters the union had to deal with to-day. When the Highways Act was launched it was conceded that there were three parties which should bear some share of the cost of maintaining and constructing the main highways the Hoveriiunmt,

county councils as representatives of the landowners, and the users of motor vehicles- That was ten veal’s ago. Now it was found that the Government had slipped out of its responsibility, and also, by the efforts of the Farmers’ Union, at least in the North Island, farmers also were seeking to be relieved of tlmir part of the responsibility. The position to-day was that then* wen- 0091 miles of primary highways controlled b;, the board, plus 4187 miles of secondary highways. Of the primary system 1500 miles were luiiy controlled by the Board, the remainder being financed by contributions of counties subsidised by the Main Highways Board. In the past the Government had granted moneys but these had been withheld since the depression. The finance of the Main Highways Beard concerned motorists. 0!

the itkl ger pallou taxation on motor spirit, 4d was retained by the Government for national purposes. The remaining lid yielded in the year ended March, l!Mo. £1,144,12(1, but of this sum £500,000 was retained for the Consolidated Fund- Other revenue payable to the board comprised the tyre tax, registration and license fees, giving the board altogether in that year a gross revenue oi £J.061,595. In order to arrest deterioration and provide bett< r road surfaces it wouKHjc neeessrrv to ensure that tin- full bd per gallon tax was used for romShm and that the £500,000 per annum now retained by the Consolidated Fund be again made available to the board. Mr Freeman slat' d that no money is now being paid to Urn board, a position which he believed to be unique in the history oi national highway administration. Some elTort should also be math against the present derating ag» tat ion. After a brief discussion the motion was carried.