FARM TRUCK LICENSES

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1934, Page 4

FARM TRUCK LICENSES

CLIFTON COUNTY REQUEST

HIGHWAYS BOARD’S OPINIONS.

“MUST ADMINISTER THE LAW.”

NOT FAVOURABLE TO EXEMPTION.

The case for the exemption of farmer’s motor-trucks used exclusively for private work from payment of heavy traffic license fees was placed before members of the Main. Highways Board at Waitara yesterday by Mr. A. ,H. Foreman, chairman of the Clifton County Council. The board listened attentively but did not hold out much hope of support, members taking the attitude that the law was there and the board could not abet the breaking of it. The suggestion was made that if the payment of licenses were proved to be inequitable attempts should be made to have the Act altered.

Recently county ratepayers had been summoned when seen at a dairy factory with their motor-trucks, an inspector finding that heavy traffic lisenses had not been obtained. The prosecutions had been due for hearing that day but had been adjourned on the inspector’s request until March. Clifton, and indeed all the Taranaki counties, did not collect such fees on trucks used exclusively in farm work.

“If any farmer were” to use his truck to do carrying for anyone else our inspector would be right down on' him,” added Mr. Foreman. The opinion of local bodies was that a man who found a motor-truck suitable should not have to pay from £5 10s upwards when an ironshod vehicle did more harm to the roads and was not taxed at all. License fees were collected from commercial travellers. Mr. C. J. McKenzi. (board chairman): Aren’t you breaking the law? Mr. Foreman: Yes, mt all Taranaki local bodies have been exempting trucks for three years. We would sooner collect the money as rates. Mr. McKenzie: Why collect from carriers using similar trucks? Mr. Foreman: They are making their living. Farmers a few miles from the railhead do not cart their own manures; they find it cheaper to employ a carrier. Farm trucks have to pay benzine tax whether they are used on the road or not. Me McKenzie: Well, you will have to get the Act altered. Mr. Foreman: That is what we want. The use of motor-trucks on mud roads was prohibited in the winter, he added, and a weight limit placed on all roads. FARMERS “ON STRIKE?” Mr. M. H. Wynyard (motorists’ representative): The Taranaki farmers are on strike then! Mr. McKenzie pointed out that the law was there and the transport board could not do otherwise than administer it. The exempting counties were not robbing the Government departments of anything, said Mr. Foreman. Mr. McKenzie: But if you did collect you would have more money to spend on roads and might be able to meet us bolter® Mr. Foreman: If we collect the money in licenses we do not in rates. Mr. W. Morrison, counties’ representative, emphasised the danger of exempting a section of the community from payment. The position would soon arise that more and more sections would desire exemption and then there would be .pa money forthcoming at all. The Counties’ Association had opposed exemption. He suggested that the agitation should be directed towards having the law altered, Cr. J. F. Phillips: Perhaps the board is not aware that Taranaki pioneered tar-sealing. Mr. Morrison: We are quite aware. Loans had been raised, said Mr. Phillips, and nearly all the tar-sealed roads were being paid for by special rates. The ratepayers were also paying benzine tax and were being asked to add to that heavy license fees, A board member: You had your toll gates. Mr. Wynyard: The battle cry has always been that the user should pay. If all Taranaki dairy factories were operated on the principle of home separation few farmers would need trucks, said Mr. Foreman. Many of the factories, however, particularly in South Taranaki, were cheese-making concerns and it was essential that milk should be taken to them. Cream collecting lorries were not exempt. Mr. Morrison stressed the necessity to abide by the law. Mr. McKenzie: The board cannot depart from the Act. And we can hardly put the benzine tax on horses. The discussion lapsed as there was no more time available before the board’s departure for New Plymouth.