TAXATION ON MOTORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20255, 15 May 1929, Page 16

TAXATION ON MOTORS.

Sir,—Some members of the Auckland Automobile Association at its meeting 011 Wednesday last seemed to expect tho trade motors to build and maintain tho roads for them to run on. Any fairminded person could hardly take it otherwise. Since the Highways Board took over there lias been a very large amount collected (benzine and tyre tax) and expended on the improving and upkeep of roads. Of thi3 amount at least 75 per cent, is collected from the traao motors and passenger buses, averaging fivo to fifteen miles to the gallon. There would bo very little road making done with the benzino and tyre tax from private cars, averaging from 20 to 40 miles to the gallon. Once the roads are built it is undoubtedly tho fast-moving light vehicles which do tho damage, not the slower-moving heavy ones which aro only allowed on first-class main roads and consume the benzine and tyres more than in proportion to the damage they do. The Automobile Association, the heavy traffic collectors, and the heavy cost of upkeep is forcing the heavy lorries to be scrapped, and the lighter ones, which travel many times faster, pay less fees and do moro damage along with the motorcars, are taking their place. Any vehicle carrying a load must consume benzine in proportion to the weight of the load, and is thereby paying its full tax. What could be more just than the benzine and tyre tax for all ? Live and Let Live.