ROAD USERS

Southland Times, Issue 22419, 5 September 1934, Page 8

ROAD USERS

PLEA FOR RELIEF

SPENDING OF FUNDS ON

HIGHWAYS

SOUNDEST COURSE

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

Wellington, September 4. A plea for more consideration for motorists as taxpayers was made by Mr A. E. Ansell in the House of Representatives this evening. Mr Ansell said that only a small part of the tax imposed on motorists was spent on the roads, and if the Government would spend more, the local bodies would be relieved of a considerable burden. Mr Ansell said that *e estimated petrol tax for the year was £2,625,UUU, of which £704,000 could be regarded as directly available for the purpose for which the Highways Act was originally created and it represented 3d to go on to the roads out of a tax of 10 2 d. That could not be called sound finance. Mr A. J. Stallworthy: The hon. gentleman understands that the Government has taken as much as £4,000,000 from the Superannuation Funds. The present method of financing the Highways Fund was a great disadvantage to the local bodies, Mr Ansell declared. As the use of the roads increased and greater amounts of taxation were paid the responsibihes of the local bodies should be correspondingly less, and considerable assistance should be given to the local bodies. If the Highways Act, as originally compiled, had been carried out, we would to-day have heard very little about derating, he said. .. In keeping with other countries, Mr Ansell suggested that the Minister of Finance should give some relief to the motorists. He was not suggesting a reduction in taxation. The Minister of Transport (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates): They have been very helpful. . The best way of arranging relief, said Mr Ansell, would be along the way of seeing that the special motor duties were applied for roading purposes, which would lower the operating costs of many vehicles. It would also protect the capital funds that had been invested in the highways system. Transport users had been carrying on under a great burden and when it was possible, they should be relieved.