LOCAL BODY FINANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20820, 12 March 1931, Page 14

LOCAL BODY FINANCE

Sir.—While I quite agree, and thought I had clearly stated, that roads should bo kept in repair by the users, who are now almost entirely motorists, I must still differ from Mr. Paton when he proposes to collect all country local body revenue from motorists, while leaving landowners in control of its expenditure. Such policy would be based on no sound political principle and would be devoid of any semblance of fair play. Hospital rates may be difficult to justify, but transferring them to motorists'would not improve the position. If a motorist causes an accident he is liable for damages, and beyond this motorists can have no responsibilities in respect of hospital cases outside those they share with the rest of the population. All over the country blind roads, almost unused by the motoring public, are being paid for bv special rates, levied on the lands they give access to.- Complete derating would mean motorists would not only pay for all maintenance and future construction, but also for roads made in the past, which they never asked for, and which they practically never use.! Such roads have added to the value of the lands they have opened to. traffic in precisely the same way as the sheds and fences on those lands, and no one has yet suggested that the cost of building and fencing should be charged up to motorists. The motorist, like anyone else, should get a fair deal, and it cannot be pretended that complete derating, at. his expense, would give him anything of the kind. i J. Johnstone. Manurewa.