RATES ON FARM LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20604, 1 July 1930, Page 14

RATES ON FARM LANDS.

Sir,—As most, farmer? arc now motorists, and those who arc not cannot because of had roads, high rates and other hardships, it would he of great benefit to the whole tannine community if the petrol (ax was doubled, and tie rates cut in half. At present we farmers have to pay excessive rates to keep the main roads in a fit state lor the mostly foreign traffic that uses thera, while wo have to raise specii'l loans r .o get our elav Toads .metalled. Ihe petrol tax should be raised sufficiently to allow the Highways Board to make and keep the main roads completely, and thus give county councils a chance tD lower the rates *a id at the same time keep the secondary roads in a decent state of repair. As it is almost wholly motors (of some sort) that use the roads nowadays, it is only fair that they should pay itho greater part of their upkeep, by petrol tax or tyre tax. so that everyone would I pav according to Ins use. of the roads, even the farmer, as he has to have hi,-> [ manure, stc., carted, and the extra tax would I soon be passed on to him, even if he ! die* not carrv Lis own produce, etc. For ; mi- own part ' I would sooner pay a i shilling petrol tax if the rates were halved. My mileage by truck and car is over 6-XX) miles a year.' b.u