RAID ON HIGHWAYS FUND'

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1930, Page 7

RAID ON HIGHWAYS FUND'

MOTORISTS INTEND TO FIGHT. CONFERENCE. TO BE CALLED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Speakers at a meeting of the South Island Motor Union to-day expressed determination to fight the Government on its “raid” on the main highways fund. In this fight they intend to seek the cooperation of the counties and Farmers’ Union. Before the next session, when further legislation will he necessary to continue the petrol tax, a conference of these bodies will discuss the finance of the Highways Board. f Speaking at the meeting to-day Mr. A. E. Ansell held that the Government’s action violated a contract sealed by legislation. “Nothing more serious than this raid on the highways funds has happened in the history of motoring in this country,” said Mr. Ansell. “You all know the details. There is a total cf £510,000 which is now a charge on the highways fund which formerly was not. The interests of the counties are identical with those of the motorists. Originally subsidies paid to the counties on rates were free grants but now the Government says they are not. This m’eans that the counties are to be saddled with an increasing charge each year for interest and sinking fund till the amount becomes staggering.” Mr. H. Halliday (Otago)’ said the' union had always been a non-political body but he was afraid it would, have to change that and take to politics. The present Government, he thought, could not last long.