MOTOR TAXATION

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1929, Page 14

MOTOR TAXATION

LOCAL BODIES’ VIEWS. TARANAKI OPPOSES CHANGE. A special meeting of the Taranaki Local Bodies' Association was held on Tuesday at Eltham to hear an address from Air, W. G. Walkley, organiser of the New Zealand Motor Union's campaign against the abolition of heavy traffic fees and changes in the system of motor taxation. The following were present: —Messrs. J. S. Connett (Taranaki County, presiding), S. Vickers (Taranaki County), J. B. Murdoch (Ilawera County), E. A. Pacey and W. G. Walkley (Hawera Borough), L JBridger (Eltham Borough), J. T. Belcher and T. JI. Anderson (Stratford County), 11. V. Griffiths (New Plymouth Borough), E. Long and J. F. Stevenson (Waimate West County), E. A. Collins .and G. MeIvor (Egmont County), J. W. Winfield (Inglewood Borough), A. Corkill and H. Jones (Inglewood County), H. Foreman (Clifton County), A. L. Campbell (Eltham County), E. George and T. C. Wilson (Waitara Borough) and Yarrow and Ross (Manaia Town Board). Mr. Walkley spoke on the lines of a previous address on the subject, stressing the point that any alteration in the taxation of heavy motor vehicles would seriously affeet county councils. The revenue from heavy traffic fees in New Zealand, he said, was approximately £250,000, of which Taranaki received £6669. The local bodies could not afford to .lose that revenue, and they were entitled to say that they must have it from one source or another. If the heavy vehicles were not taxed the county ratepayers would have to make up the deficit. The rates collected by the counties in New Zealand increased from £754,785 in 1914 to £1.975,646 in 1928, while the county population had increased only from 492,593 to 520,5'60. The increase in rates was 161.7 per cent., but in population it was only 6.3 per cent. These figures showed that the county ratepayer was not benefiting at the expense of the owners of heavy vehicles, but, on the other hand, was carrying his fair share of the burden.

The chairman moved that the case outlined by Mr. WUlkley be represented to the executives of the Counties and Municipal Associations, with a request that they should take combined action to place the facts before the Transport Board, He said the association should do ali it could to support from the counties’ point of view the case which Mr. Walkley had so admirably put forward. The attitude of the Counties’ Association was formerly one of little concern as to the readjustment of traffic fees so long as the revenue of the counties was unlikely to suffer. The motorists, however, had shown that the abolition of heavy traffic fees would inevitably affect the counties. The truck that did most damage to the roads Was the 5-ton truck with solid tyres, which often carried up to 7 or 8 tons. They would be glad to hav that truck light off the roads, and the heavy fees were having the effect of driving it off. The 5-ton truck shod with pneumatic tyres received a considerable concession in fees, and with the provision made for remission of tax where trucks wore not used throughout the year th® taxation certainly could not be called heavy. The Taranaki local bodies collected an average rate of 2 l-3d on the unimproved value, and this money was required mainly for the maintenance of the roads. The loans raised by these •local- bodies for roads totalled about three-quarters of a million, and the usdrs of the roads as well as the ratepayers should help to pay the charges on this sum, In seconding the motion Mr. Anderson said that if the heavy traffic fees drove the heaviest lorries off the roads they were entirely justified. Mr. Jones said Mr. Walkley seemed to have made out a case for town owners of motor-cars. The lorry owner passed on the tax to his customers, who were the farmers, and especially those m the Lackblocks. Did this mean that well-to-do people who drove motor-cars foi pleasure would benefit at the expense of settlers? Mr. Walkley said the majority of W members of the Motor Union were farm01’S. Mr. Jones stated that he was quite with those who wanted to see the last of the 5-ton truck, but he thought the 3-ton truck was very useful to the blocks farmers. In many cases they were \sing the same roads as they had before heavy traffic fees were collected, so thev had no benefit from the foes. Mr. 'Murdoch said that the man who wanted his stuff carried by motor loiry naturally had to pay for it. The counties could not provide roads for that man unless they received adequate revenue, and that was only obtainable by moans of properly distributed taxation. . i r - Murdoch suggested that the association should appoint a committee of its own to act with the executives of the Municipal and Counties’ Associations. Tho chairman, in reply to Mr. Jones, said it was no hardship to a baekblocks man who used a heavy truck to have to nay for the service, and the charges veie not at all exorbitant. Mr. Bridger said that the speed or lorries was just as much a eau3e damatre as solid tyres were. He felt that the people who were claiming relief from fees were not altogether unentitled to svninabhy. Mr. Belcher put in a plea for dairy farmers, saying that they should be en- : couraoed to use trucks of reasonable weight, for horse-drawn waggons did more damage to the roads than light lorries did.

The motion was carried, and it was agreed that the association’s executive should fake Gm ma Her in hand, with the assistance of Air. Walkley.

NIGHT EXPRESSES. FAVOURED IN ELTHAM. GREAT SAVING OF TIME. The proposals of the New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce with reference to the inauguration of a nteht express to Wellington aro viewed with favour Lv business men in Eltham. Several speaking to a Daily News representative con-

sidcrcd that greater inducement would bo given to business people to. travel by rail°as considerable saving in time would bo effected. Another feature spoken of ;ls being of considerable importance is the more expeditious handling of mails consequent on the saving of a night and a day before delivery. On the whole the scheme would appear to find the greatest favour among all classes.

GENERAL ITEMS

A cock and two hen pheasants have been purchased from ft Stratford resident by the Stratford Acclimatisation Society*. Air. J. Petrie told the society on Tuesday night that he was sure the rearing of pheasants would be a success this year. Air. A. J. Davey, poultry and Mr. A. David were giving their help. It was hoped to have the hatchery erected on Mr. Davey s property in ft few days. Under the auspices of the W.C.T.U. a successful social was held in St. Andrew’s Hall, Stratford, on Tuesday afternoon. Airs. Fawcett presided. The programme was: Song, Airs. Robinson; duet, Mr. and Mrs. Naden; song, Air. Naden; recitation, Miss Boydc; song, Mrs. Davies; recitation, Airs. Phillips; song, Mrs. Gaze. Miss B. Masters was the accompahisic. _A collection was donated to the earthquake fund, the amount being £2.

The Plunket dance attracted a crowd to the Wharehuia hall on Thursday night. Airs. Gush won the cushion donated bv Airs. Franklin for ft competition. The Plunket Society benefited to the extent of £4. Mr. L. Whellcr was M.C.

There is a very good demand for dairy cows at the present time, as was shown by the recent clearing sales held in the Eltham district. Prices are more than satisfactory and in some instances are approaching the boom period figures. At a sale held during this week an average of nearly £l7 was reached for a good grade/ herd. The position, is explained bv dairy farmers who view the advance made in the selection and breeding of stock as being largely responsible. Breeders generally remark upon the increased demand for pedigree sires, the average farmer evidently realising the value of such animals as regards butter-fat production.

Sufficient funds were raised as a result of the recent carnival held by the Eltham branch of the Plunket Society to enable the building of a rest room to be proceeded with. Arrangements are being made by the branch for tho preparation of plans, and it is hoped to commence building operations in the near future.

An evidence of the advance made in secondary education in the country districts and of the appreciation of the facilities offered is to be seen in the number of Eltham children who journey daily for the Stratford High School. The afternoon train carries as the greatest proportion of its passengers children returning homo, they having left Eltham in the early morning.

An inter-club match will be played between the Eltham and Manaia Golf Clubs to-day, the following being the Eltham team: L. Abbott, N. Phillips, P. de Launay, B. Darling, J. Campbell, W. Hill, T. Fountaine, A. Tiplady, and D. Fitzgerald. Members unable to make the trip should advise the vice-captain or secretary.

A total of 350 electric lights turned night into day inside the Stratford Winter Show buildings last night. In addition, numerous multi-coloured globes lent attraction to the spacious width of Broadway.

The Stratford Citizens’ Band was in attendance at the official opening of the Stratford Winter Show last night and, besides playing the National Anthem at the. conclusion of the. ceremony, rendered several items outside the 'building and while marching up the street.

4s tho outcome of a meeting convened 'by tho Mayor ,of Eltham, Mr. I, J. Bridger, a committee was set up to deal with the question of relief , for sufferers 'by the earthquake. Various suggestions were made for the raising of°funds, and a further meeting is to be held early next week.

PERSONAL ITEMS. It is understood that Mr. Jacob Morse, the well-known Mangatoki settler, has disposed of his farm and intends to leave the district. ELTHAM R.S. LEAGUE. ANNUAL RE-UNION TO-NIGHT. Although comparatively recently organised, the Eltham Returned Soldiers’ League has proved itself a very live body and is doing a considerable amount of wood in overseeing the interests of its°member6. The annual re-union which is being held to-morrow evening promises to be most successful as a large gathering is assured.

HOCKEY COMPETITIONS. ELTHAM TEAMS SELECTED. The following team will represent Eltham B against Kaponga at Eltham this afternoon: —Treweek, L. Cooper, Michell, Thompson, Collins, Murray, Stunners, Pennington, Irwin, W. Gower, Gyde. Ewans and Davies. The team to play for Eltham A against Waitara at Waitara to-day will be chosen from the following: —Bennett, A. Cooper, Whittington, Knuckey, Cocker, Lambie, Donnelly, Boswell, Robinson. Grove, Page. KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. “METROPOLIS.” “Metropolis,” a fine German film, will be screened at the King’s to-night. It is a remarkable picture of what a lead-

ing city may be 100 years hence. The leading character in it is John Masterman, a soulless individual, who dominates the city, and has little time for the poor man, except as one of the cogs in his huge machine. Great buildings towering into the clouds have been built for the rich, while the poor are comjielled to live underground. Transport is bv railways and train ways constructed one above the other, and aeroplanes .sweep in and out among the gigantic buildings. The highest building in the <»roup is occupied by Masterman, and from it he operates all the workings of the huge city. Once a day the children of the poor ase permitted to travel to the top of the highest building to get fresh air. They are under the care of Alary, a beautiful girl, who one day on opening a door leading into a beautiful warden, encounters Masterman’s son. The Tatter becomes fascinated with the girl, and in the hope of meeting her again he visits the poor and hears of their sad plight. Mary is later captured, the poor re,volt, and destroy all the machinery. that operates the city. These scenes are sensational and gigantic, and finally an understanding is come to between capital and labour. Ten thousand people took part in the production of this picture.