GOLDEN SCAPEGOAT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 June 1930, Page 4

GOLDEN SCAPEGOAT

THE MOTORIST INCREASED PETROL TAX "INIQUITOUS PROPOSAL" (By Telegraph-Bpecial to "The Mail") CHRISTCHURCH, 2nd June. The opinion that the motorist is regarded as the golden scapegoat by the Government and local bodies and' that serious trouble will follow any attempt, as suggested from Wellington, to end tho reign of the Main Highways Board as at present constituted, was voiced by Christchurch motorists to-day. "In my opinion the Budget shortage will be nearer £4,000,000 than £3,000,000," said Mr B. Falck, a member, of the council of the Canterbury Automobile Association. "That shortage has yet to bo made up somehow. There is a movement on foot to increase the petrol tax, and it seems that that additional money will go into the Consolidated Fund. So far as the reign of the Main Highways Board as at present constituted is concerned there is not the slightest doubt that it is due for revision and alteration. The motorists have clamoured for a Jong time for greater representation. They are entitled to it. They pay the money and at present there is only one motorists' representative as against two from the counties. The motorists may be precluded from spending their own money. Under the present constitution there is no actual Government control, as was pointed out, nor should there be. The provision, of tho money was practically voluntary and no Government would suggest taking the funds under the present constitution. Motorists would be unanimous in resisting such a thing." "In this kite flown so shrewdly from Wellington," said another motorist, "I can foresee an attempt to bring the money of the motorists under the control of the Public Works Department, thus ruling the Main Highways Board out altogether. Such a proposal would be a distinct breach ;of faith with the taxpayers and would surely be resisted strenuously, by the motorists through their organisations. Motorists so far have refrained from assuming political colour, but if there is any attempt at handing over control of the funds to the Public Works Department then; the motorists," who are providing the money, will have no alternative. There are over 200,000 motorists in New Zealand, and no party can afford to wreck: its existence or political aspirations by any movement likely to break faith with the motorists. The idea of an increased petrol tax is iniquitpus enough because of the designs of the counties in trying to shoulder their responsibility on to the users of the roads. If I read aright the writing on the wall the Government is going to strike - serious trouble the moment it, attempts, to wipe out the Main Highways Board or increase the petrol tax and not spend that tax on the roads."

"What is required is another motorists' representative on the Main Highways Boards," was the opinion of a member of the Canterbury Automobile Association. "The petrol tax should' ' .not bo increased. There.is plenty ofscope for cutting down expenditure. In the Defence Department the staff of officers* for instance is too large for the amount of work to be done. It is not i ' what we get but what'we spend which? counts. The motorist has come to be regarded as a golden scapegoat for the " Government, counties, and municipalities, and now is the time to call hands , off the highways funds or Main Highways Board, and use the pruning.knife on Government branches that are, all" leaves and no fruit."