TAXATION OF MOTORISTS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1932, Page 6

TAXATION OF MOTORISTS

COMPLAINT OF REGULATIONS.

SPEED LIMIT PROPOSAL.

That the time would come when motorists in New Zealand would be hemmed in by a mass of petty regulations and restrictions dictated by bureaucrats, unless steps were taken to curtail the designs of Government officials, was a prediction made to the annual meeting of the Stratford branch of the S.T.A.A. on Tuesday night by Mr. W. G. Walkley (Hawera), secretary of the association. The motorist was the heaviest taxed individual in New Zealand, he said. The petrol tax, tyre tax and license fees originated when it was found that roads were getting into disrepair owing to the inabiliy of county councils to find sufficient money for adequate maintenance. Certain people formed an association to further a campaign for better roads, and it was suggested to the Government that the road user be taxed for the upkeep of the roads. That was all right as long as the taxes were used for the special purpose for which they were levied, but recently the Government raided the petrol tax fund for national purposes. In view of the Government’s urgent need of money the automobile associations, county councils and the Farmers* Union agreed that the fund be raided as a temporary measure in a time of stringency. Now, however, the position had arisen where the Government was going to take the greater part of the fund' for national purposes while only the lesser portion would be devoted to roads. ; > Mr. Walkley said it was estimated that the revenue from the petrol tax to December, 1'932, would be £2,000,000. From that rebates and cost of collection amounting to £153,000 would be taken, leaving £1.947,000 which, plus the heavy traffic and license fees, would give an estimated.' total of £2,247,000. From that sundry charges totalling £566,000 would be subtracted to give a balance of £1,681,000, of which the Government intended to take £1,100,000, leaving only £581,000 for roads. That amount was totally inadequate. "Of 8.4 d tax on every gallon of petrol less than 3d will go on the roads, and whereas 18 months ago the position was being reached where the county councils could reduce rates owing to the petrol tax they are now confronted With the possibility of having to increase rates to maintain the roads, and it is high time a definite stand was made,” Mr. Walkley -stated. “In addition, the National Expenditure Commission, which has condemned political control in a variety of matters, recommends that the petrol fund be placed under the direct control of Parliament.”

Mr. Walkley referred to the commission’e statement that roads in New Zealand were being made in advance of requirements and that expenditure on them should be curtailed. The commission did not look far beyond the Hutt Road, he said. Certainly large sums had been spent on roads around Wellington, but much of the work had been done to relieve unemployment and not at the request of eltfter motorist* or county councils. The views of the commission were .biassed by the road versus rail transport question, but despite any action of the commission road transport from . the commercial aspect would come. .

Tn dealing with motor regulations Mr. Walkley referred to the proposal that police officers in mufti have power to stop motorists. The association objected strongly to that as it was obvious the practice was open to abuse by people who were not police officers or inspectors. It would be noticed that to drive outside the white dividing lines on corners had been assumed by the authorities as an offence. The lines were not painted to give inspectors another opportunity for persecuting motorists. They were there as a safety measure, and if a motorist were involved in an accident through driving on the wrong side of the lines he would have to take the consequences. The recommendation that a speed limit of 40 miles an hour be imposed would have far reaching consequences if it were confirmed. The Commissioner of Transport had said he was going to see that speed on the roads was reduced. Provisions were made to impose fines of up to £5O in the case of offences, and it would be possible, if the regulation were in force, to drive from Taranaki to Auckland in a perfectly safe manner and yet incur fines amounting to £6OO. A limit of 30 miles per hour had been set for the Bombay deviation to preserve the road surface, and while that was a desirable feature, 100 motorists a month were being fined at Auckland for exceeding the limit, in many cases by only three or four miles per hour. “Two years ago the speed limit was abolished in England by Parliament,” Mr. Walkley said. “In New Zealand, where the traffic problems are, of course, far worse than on the congested roads of England, the Commissioner says we must have a speed limit. France, Italy, Holland and Germany have no speed limit, but the Commissioner says that conditions in New Zealand must be made as uncomfortable for motorists as possible.”

ELTHAM THEATRE.

“DELICIOUS.”

Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, screenland’s most popular sweethearts, have always been a great sucees, but never since they have started acting together have they been better than in “Delicious,” the current Fox musical production, showing to-night./ A “Cinderella” romance of an entirely new type, “Delicious” is exacting what the name implies. The story is enchanting, the dialogue right out of the ordinary, the comedy perfect, and as for the acting—well, wait until you see the picture. Janet Gaynor is really adorable in this show, petite, wide-eyed, soft and appealing of voice, this little star shines as she has never shone before. Particularly outstanding is the number for Miss Gaynor’ “dream” song, on entering the United States. The tableau for this is as clever as it is remarkable. There is a very good supporting bill.