HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20271, 3 June 1929, Page 15

HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES.

OPPOSITION TO REDUCTION. SUPPORT IN SOUTH ISLAND. [IIY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, Saturday. The president of tho South Island Motor Union, Mr. A. E. Ansell, M.P., stated yesterday that he warmly supported tho views outlined at Napier on Thursday evening by Mr. 11. E. Champtaloup, touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association, regarding tho opposition of northern motorists to tho proposal to reduce the heavy motor licence ices. "It is evident," said Mr. Ansell, that strenuous opposition will bo made to it proposal by motorists generally and by city and county authorities. At present about 60 per cent, of the proceeds of tho heavy traffic fees is paid to the cities, the other 40 per cent, going to the counties and boroughs, so it is quite evident that tho cities concerned will put up a big fight to prevent the abolition of heavy ! traffic fees. _ _ "In a statement issued I>.v tho JNew Zealand Master Carriers' Federation occurs (ho following ;—■* Quito apart, from tho question whether or noi the heavy traffic fees should bo abolished and cities and boroughs compensated therefor by inci eased contributions from tho petroi tax collections, the cities and boroughs have unanswerable claims to a greater allocation from tho petrol tax than they are receiving to-day.' It is evident, therefore, that the heavy traffic interests contemplate advocating that (ho cities and boroughs shall receive a. greater proportion of the petrol tax. "Statements have been made that the. heavy traffic fees, amounting to £250,000 a year, can be abolished without inflicting hardship on any other section of tho community. In support of this _ it is stated that when the Government imposed the petrol (ax, in 1927, it aimed at getting £720,000. It actually obtained £824,000. Against (his, however, it must be remembered that tho increase of petrol tax collected shows an incrcaso in the use of motor-cars, and with an increase of motorcars, naturally, a greater expenditure becomes necessary on roads. This extra wear will require extra contributions to compensate local authorities. "It is generally conceded by highway engineers in all parts of the world that, because of heavy traffic, a stronger typo of road is required than would be tho case for ordinary cars. 1 am informed that in some instances tho cost of such roads is increased by from 50 to 100 per cent., because of tho needs of that traffic. It is also agreed by engineers that some extra taxation should be placed on vehicles of over two tons If this were carried out it would encourage tho use of lighter vehicles for a largo proportion of transport work. "An intensive campaign to counter the proposed abolition of heavy traffic fees and the passing of tho burden on to tho private motorists is being organised in the North Island and no doubt tho South Island Motor Union will take steps to see that, the interests of private motorists are protected."