TAXATION FOR ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19303, 16 April 1926, Page 13

TAXATION FOR ROADS.

DEFENCE OF THE MOTORIST. CALL FOR MORE EXPENDITURE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON*. Thursday. The reproach often levelled at motorists that they were always asking for good roads but contributed nothing toward their upkeep, came in for some criticism by Dr. A. O. Waddell at a meeting of the Hamilton Automobile Association. He said the duties on motor vehicles and tyres imported into New Zealand last year totalled £1,194,612. Of this sum the proportion spent on highways was exceedingly small, about £35,000. New Zealand was the highest taxed motor country in tha world, and he resented being told by county councils that the motorist was not paying for the use he made of roads. When county councils got their subsidies from the consolidated fund it came out of the taxation on motors. The motorist did not object to taxation if ho got value for the money. The main roads ought to he under unified control. Many of the counties, Waikato for example, did not even have an engineer. The expenditure of the money from motor duties on main highways would be better for the farmer, for his rates could then be devoted to the maintenance of back roads. The meeting endorsed Dr. YVaddell's remarks, and it was decided to call for n more equitable adjustment of the taxation by at least one-half of the motor duty being spent on the main roads. The remit will go to the North Island Motor Union through the Auckland Association.