TRAFFIC LICENSE FEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18941, 12 February 1925, Page 10

TRAFFIC LICENSE FEES.

BASIS OF DISTRIBUTION. NEWMARKET'S ATTITUDE. VALUATION NOT POPULATION. The method of the distribution of traffic license fees decided upon by the Local Bodies' Association came in for adverse criticism at a meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council last evening. Finally members were of the unanimous opinion that the association's basis of allocation could not be accepted. According to the association's decision the m-ethod of distribution is to be based on the following;— Population, 30 per cent.; traffic, 30 per cent.; area, 20 per cent.,- and road mileage, 20 per cent,, applicable to each borough. "We cannot agree to these proposals," stated the Mayor, Mr. S. Donaldson. "Provision should be made for valuation."

At this stage the council went into committee, and a considerable discussion ensued. At the termination of its deliberations, the council made available the following resolution moved by the Mayor and carried unanimously: "That this council cannot agree to accept- the basis of allocation advocated by the Local Bodies' Association, and affirms the previous decision of the council to endeavour to secure an alteration in the distribution of traffic license fees from the basis of population to that of valuation, I would also further move that a letter be forwarded to each local body concerned in the distribution of fees, asking for support of the proposal of the council in the direction indicated." The committee reported that it had considered the regulations providing for the licensing of motor drivers, and was of the opinion that the present arrangements between the local authorities contiguous to the city whereby the City Council issued all licenses, should be allowed to continue. The committee further recommended that representations along these lines be made to the Minister for Internal Affairs.