GOOD ROADS WANTED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10951, 13 July 1921, Page 5

GOOD ROADS WANTED

MOTOR TAXATION REVENUE DOMINION HOADS ASSOCIATION ADVOCATED. EDUCATING THE PUBLIC. At the adjourned meeting of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, Mr A. "Leigh Hunt, presiding, further discussion took place on the motion by Mr L. Ashcroft Edwards: ‘‘That this chamber undertakes to give practical .support to the formation of a Dominion Hoads Association, the objects of which are l :—(a) Improvement of the road conditions of the Dominion, first consideration being given to main arterial roads; (b) the affirmation of the principle that all revenue derived from motor taxation be specifically and equitably allocated to main arterial road improvement; (c) education of the public upon the economic dnd military importance of good roads to the Dominion.” OBJECTIONS RAISED. Air F. Castle deprecated the formation of another association in regard to the question, and doubted whether it would be equitable to allocate all revenue from motor taxation to the main arterial roads. Other members supported this view, and Mr Hunt suggested that it would, perhaps, be better to appoint a commission to inquire into the whole matter of main arterial roads. It was, for example, difficult to define just what main aide rial roads were. The chamber was, however, in sympathy wiih the general principle of the motion, i DOMINION ASSOCIATION. Repaying on the discussion, Mr Edwards baid that what lie wanted was to see a Dominion Roads Association to deal with the whole question of main arterial roads; this association to have branches in all thp main centres, representative of the various local bodies, chambers of commerce, automobile climbs, and interested ratepayer*©. He objected as much as anybody to* overlapping, but he would point out that the existing Good 5 Roads Association had done nothing for years past, except advocate the setting up of *toll-gates. “MODERNLY-CGNSTRUCTED ROADS.” The maintenance of the Hutt road was*£3soo a year to maintain,- hut the modernly-constructed roads in the United States cost nothing to maintain. The some oould be said of a bituminous road constructed at Hastings by the engineer to the Eastbourne Borough Council. Such roads, if constructed generally throughout the Dominion would save the cost of construction/in a very few years owing to the Very great reduction in cost of haulage. Instead of having to pay anything towards. th*e cost of the present waterbound macadam roads, we should send in bills for damages to those responsible for these roads. The motors did not wear away., but the roads wore away., the motor tyres and damaged the springs, etc. MOTOR TYRE TAX. The motorists had consented to motor tyre taxation to provide revenue for the construction and upkeep of the roads, but only on the condition that the roads were thoroughly up-to-date. For every 20 per cent, taxation on motor tyres, he pointed out, /the. motorists would have to pay £26 12s per cent., out of which £4 12s would go into the pockets of the merchants who ha/ndled the tyres, and the balance (£22) into the Treasury. He had had numerous letters from motorists, civil engineers, and others, all of them heartily approving of this scheme. It was no good appointing a commission to go into the matter. It was no good relying upon the Government in the matter. They must set up a powerful association which would compel action to be taken. Too much time had bpen already wasted; He was going to agitate the formation of the Dominion Roads Association throughout the country, beginning with a large and representative meeting at Carterton on July 2&th. The resolution, was carried nem. con.