The Northland Age WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19. HEAVY TRAFFIC LICENSES

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 39, 19 October 1927, Page 4

The Northland Age WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19. HEAVY TRAFFIC LICENSES

From the discussion which took place at the Mangonui County Council Meeting on this subject on Friday it would appear that the Council is, as was stated by the Chairman, “like Mahomet's Coffin, between Heaven and Earth,” so far as having poweF to collect heavy license fees in the County goes. The position, however, is that the Council has been collecting fees from certain people in the County but others have declined to pay. It is quite evident that the Council is not at all sure of its ground in this matter, and the question arises, how can the Council legally hold fees that have already been collected. It amounts to this: if the Council is in a position to enforce payment why has it not compelled those who have not paid, to do so. We think the Council has no power under existing by laws to compel a man to take out a license and this places them in the position of being fair game for legal action by people who have paid for licenses, and who should, in the circustances, be entitled to a refund. The Council has not, it would seem, instructed its officials as to how they shall act in cases where people defy requests for payment. Some may be easy to deal with and pay their mcney readily either from • sense of injustice or because of their respect for officialdom. There can, however, be no suggestion of equity about a position which makes it possible for one section of the community to pay tor the privilege of plying for hire on County roads, and then to have to cuntcnd with opposition from people who pay no fees. To say he least it is anomalous and should be rectified without delay. It seems remarkault, tha, the Council lias not taken any action up to the present, to clear up such an unsatisfactory state of affairs. Those who have paid are naturally incensed, and the Council is likely to bring a storm ot protest about its ears, if it permits the present system to continue. The Chairman regards this problem as an extremely difficult one, but this can surely not be held as a legitimate excuse. Men of ability are supposed to be able to overcome difficulties as they arise and it is an evidence of weakness for a body of public men to be overawed by problems presenting diffi mlties as they crop up. This is a matter for individual councillors to consider.