EXPENDITURE ON HIGHWAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18673, 30 September 1922, Page 12

EXPENDITURE ON HIGHWAYS

MOTOR TRADE’S SUGGESTIONS. WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST MINISTER. • (Peb United Press Association.! WELLINGTON. September 29 The New Zealand Motor Trade Association forwarded to the Minister of Public Works a lumber of decisions arrived at by a genera! peering of members of the association held some days ago. when tho main highways legislation was discussed. Appreciation was expressed on behalf of the motor trade of New Zealand of the efforts of the.Minister,to bring down satisfactory legislation to deal with the main highways problem. Members of the association are said to be in agreement with the mam issues of the proposals. After reviewing the proposals and giving details of tho discussions on tho stime, also tho amount of duties collected from motor vehicles in a year, the association goes on to say that it is recognised that under the present circumstance it is no 1 possible to draw on tho Consolidated Fund to ary extent without providing extra taxation of some sort, and. ns the question of a permanent highways scheme is a matter of urgency, motor traders are prepared to make a temporary sacrifice in an endeavour to assist the Minister to bring his scheme to a successful issue. ’’Wp therefore suggest that motoring interests, provide additional funds by means of extra taxation on the following conditions(a) That th© amount to bb found by the motorists towards fhe highways fund be not more than £300,000 per annum over a period of five years, and that the Government contribute from the Public Works Fund and fhe Consolidated Fund a.similar amount; or, as an alternative. (b) that (he Government provide £235.000 as sot. out in tlie Minister's memorandum and the motorists provide £210,000, including revenue from the tax, ary additional moneys provided by the motorists over 6200,000 to be subsidised pound for pound by tho Government 2. That no other taxation be levied on motor transport, 3. That when the revenue provided by motorists roaches £500,000 per annum relief Tie given by a reduction in taxation. 4. That tho method of providing revenue required from motorists in addition to that provided by Tie tyre tax be decided by a commission of four members, one appointed by llte North Island Automobile Association and one by the South Island Motor Union, ••.no-by users! of commercial motors and vehicles, ar.d one by the New Zealand Motor Ti ade Association. 5. That no additional taxation be collected from motorists until the highways scheme is ready to be commenced.