The PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. ”Luceo Non Uro." SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1933. ROBBING THE ROADS

Southland Times, Issue 22194, 9 December 1933, Page 6

The PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. ”Luceo Non Uro." SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1933. ROBBING THE ROADS

The history of the special taxation for highways in this country makes sad reading. When the scheme was launched, the motorists agreed readily to the imposition of special taxation designed to provide funds for the construction and maintenance of main highways, and it was realized then, in some quarters at least, that after the passage of a few years this plan would so extend its operations that roads of a secondary and even those of a tertiary status would be drawn into its scope. Then came a change of government and the United Party cast greedy eyes on the fund this special taxation had provided. The first move was the withdrawal of the State’s subsidy and an alteration of the basis of previous subsidies so that they became loans, and finally the Government shovelled on to the Highways Fund part of its own burdens. Relief was afforded the rural authorities in the first case by the application of these funds to the main highways, and it was agreed that this relief, in view of the special problems associated with faster road traffic, was justified; but governments have gone on increasing the burdens of the motorists and relieving their own, while enlarging the relief to rural communities. The cry for general de-rating of rural lands has increased, and it is fairly obvious that any government which carries this plan into full effect will do it by utilizing motor taxation for the purpose. The motorist is objecting, and it cannot be said that his objections are not well grounded. He is paying heavily in special taxation, and to-day he can see that the original purpose of this levy is being pushed further and. further into the background. Worse than this, he can see that owing to the diversion of the funds he is supplying, the amount available for new construction and for maintenance is inadequate. In 1929-30 the maintenance cost was* £1,000,000, but last year this figure had slumped to £600,000, while in 1930-31 it was £870,000, and in 1931-32, £850,000. Last year the Main Highways Board’s report contained a warning to the Government that owing to the decrease in the amount available for maintenance there were signs of deterioration in the road surfaces, and in its report this year the board has repeated the warning: It is necessary again to repeat the statement in the last annual report that in the board’s opinion the main highways have not been adequately maintained during the past two years The volume of motor traffic has decreased about 10 per cent., whilst the rate of expenditure has dropped 45 per cent. Reduced costs account for a portion of the discrepancy; but there is ample evidence that in many places the thickness of the road crusts has been diminished to an alarming -extent, as a result of curtailment of maintenance expenditure to a degree quite unwarranted by the reductions in traffic and roading costs. Not only gravel and macadam roads, however, are showing the effects of false economy. Bituminous and concrete pavements are in a number of cases noticeably deteriorating. . . .

The engineer to the board has said that £700,000 is the minimum of safety, but apart from the startling fact that the roads are being permitted to go back—one member of the board assessed the amount of the deterioration at £200,000 per annum—there is the moral aspect of the matter. Special taxation is put on motorists for the construction and maintenance of the main highways, and this Government is not living up to its side of the bargain. It will plead expediency, the financial depression; but there is no disguising the fact that it has knowingly shuffled out of its obligations and by diverting funds has not kept faith with the motorists. From a business viewpoint its policy is bad. By cutting the expenditure to £lOO,OOO below what the board’s expert regards as the minimum of safety, it is causing surface deterioration representing a loss of £200,000, apart from the fact that the flaws in the surface add to the running costs of the motorists who are supplying the funds. Can anyone wonder at the protests made by motorists? The only surprising thing about them is that they are couched in such moderate language. There is no justification for the taxation of a special section of the community for general purposes, and from the mom-

ent the Government started laying hands on these funds it has been in the position of a person who has failed to keep its promises, but to-day it has added to its faults that of false economy which is one of the deadliest of all administrative sins.

Last evening the Government meteorologist issued the following information General situation: An anticyclone now covers the whole of the New Zealand area, while a depression is situated over Eastern Australia and the western Tasman Sea. The forecast is: Winds, light to moderate, and variable at first, but north-easterly to northerly gradually setting in, and freshening Seas in New Zealand waters smooth to moderate. In the eastern Tasman sea freshening northeast winds, moderate to rather rough seas. Weather fine and warm generally, but a dull and misty condition gradually extending over the Dominion later. Scattered rains developing.

Messrs A. and W. Hamilton advise that all the fishing streams are in good order.

Advertisements relating to Shows, meetings, Exhibition of Work, Sports Meetings, Racing, Dances, etc. appear on Page 2.

In the Court of Appeal at Wellington yesterday in the case W. D. Lysnar versus the National Bank, the Court gave Lysnar final leave to appeal to the Privy Council.—Press Association message.

Albert Robert Wilcoxson, on charges of false pretences and theft, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, states a Dunedin Press Association message. The accused had a long list, having appeared in Christchurch, Hastings (twice) and Dunedin.

Probate of the will of the late Mr James Thomas Hawke was granted yesterday morning by Mr Justice Herdman. The estate totals £90,000. There is provision for his widow and successive life interests to the children and grandchildren. The residue goes to the Roman Catholic Church. The assets include interests in Indian and Ceylon tea and coffee plantations.—Hamilton Press Association message.

The Battalion Band will play from Dee street to the Rose Gardens on Sunday afternoon where they are giving a programme of music.—Advt.

The Railway Department advertises in this issue particulars of running and fares of a road motor service between Edievale and Waipahi commencing on Monday, December 18, 1933.—Advt.

In this issue the Railway Department advertise particulars of train arrangements and the issue of cheap day excursion tickets in connection with the Southland A. and P. Show.—Advt.

Those interested in the Trinity College of music exams, are reminded of the address to be given by Mr Ronald Chamberlain at 7 o’clock this evening at St. John’s Hall. The early hour has been chosen so that it may not interfere with other engagements the same evening.—Advt. 1— DEWAR’S WHISKY. 2— OTHER BRANDS. —Advt. Children’s cream silk and wool threequarter sox, stripes round top, sizes 5 to 9. Great value at 1/6 pair at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street.— Advt. Ladies’ Spun Silk Bloomers in fuji shade, 1/6 pair. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Ltd., Dee street.—Advt. The best is none too good in sickness. We dispense prescriptions from only the purest standardized drugs. Geo. I. Moffett, Chemist.—Advt. Thomson and Beattie’s Tailoring Department can still make your suit to measure in time for the Christmas holidays. A large selecion of smart, serviceable materials are displayed in the “Man’s Shop,” from which perfect fitting suits are tailored to measure by our expert tailoring staff. Call to-day and see the suitings, tweeds, worsteds, and serge, priced from sgns.—Advt. THE USEFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT IS APPRECIATED. You’ll earn the grateful thanks of your friends if you give them a Christmas Presentation tin of the famous Tiger Tea. This famous tea has been specially packed in attractively decorated 21b tins, obtainable at all grocers at th' usual price of 2/8 per lb. When empty, the tins are ideal containers for biscuits and cakes.—Advt. Great value in Books at the N.Z. BOOK DEPOT. Prize Books and Picture Books 10 per cent, discount, and an extra 5 per cent, discount for cash. N.Z. BOOK DEPOT, Esk street, Invercargill.—Advt. Ice cream, Soda Fountain drinks, Toffees and Candies, Eskimo Pie, all of good quality. Come to Ayson’s two shops 5 and 72 Dee street. (Advt.) Large selection of Christmas gifts. Real quality goods at very low prices at Carter's Christmas Suit Sale. Initial handkerchiefs 1/-, anti-crease ties 2/6, fancy socks 1/6 and 2/6; men's white canoe shirts 5/6. See Carter’s advertisement front page.—Advt. “Dont’ forget your camera!” No picnic or home-gathering is complete without someone to take snaps of the fun. And, of course, you’ll bring the films to BROWN’S PHARMACY for developing and printing. Each negative developed to bring out the best that is in it, so that when you want enlargements you can get good pictures. Everybody knows BROWN’S for VELOX PRINTS, clear, bright and sparkling. Velox Pap«r is made by Kodak, Ltd., especially to meet amateur requirements. That is why your snaps turn out better even than you expect when you take them to BROWN, THE CHEMIST, 125 Dee street—Advt.