UPKEEP OF ROADS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3208, 18 September 1934, Page 5

UPKEEP OF ROADS

DEMAND THAT USER SHALL PAY VIEWS OF MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL. That sufficient action was not being taken to further the demand for the user paying for roads was urged by Cr White at Friday's meeting of the Matamata County Council. When the subject was broached the chairman remarked that the South Island counties would rioi listen to derating and that was the stumbling block. Cr White replied that it seemed that every time they had the South Island put up against them. They were not governed by the South Island. In the North Island. settlers could not stand the present system. It was time something was done. The subject was shelved each time and he felt they should take some definite action. Opposition in South Island The chairman explained that what he meant was that in the South Island there was a v block vote against total derating.

Cr E. D. White: If the South Island block vote against us then we must dissassociatc ourselves from, them. Farmers in the North could not exist today and carry the tax of rates. Cr J. Pohlen remarked that the whole trouble was that where there was division of opinion they would never get legislation. Cr K. S. Cox stated that the Counties Conference had passed a resolution asking that all benzine taxation be'put to roading purposes. If counties' got that for £1 for £1 subsidy on thc lC ratc struck they could reduce their rates 50 per cent at least. The' Farmers' Union, however, asked for total derating, but if they stuck to the "user shall pay" they would get somewhere.

The chairman remarked that Taranaki and Hawke's Bay were against total derating.

Cr White: The point is that no definite steps are. being taken. We discuss the matter but nothing is done. We are not moving forward with the matter. If you were to take a referendum of the Auckland Province not 10 per cent would oppose the system that the user should pay for the roads. The chairman said there was strong opposition to total dorating. There'was plenty of money collected if counties only got it. Fanners' Union's Efforts

Cr White: I am prepared to say that the Farmers'' Union is the only body taking definite steps in this matter "and the council should get behind it and not criticise it. ~,, , :1 ,, : . : - : ; -

The Chairman: Wc are supporting it. We are asking for all the money collected. ~.-.;

Cr White: Wo are hot making an organised attempt. We are not using our organisation. It was possibly all right now for those in a comfortable position, but very many others had big responsibilities and it was a most unjust tax. Cr E. Nickle: What do you suggest? Cr White: We could get a proper rally going by getting the support of all other bodies. So long as we are divided the Government is happy. Cr Nickle: That's it. Cr White: There is no need for us to bo divided and we must get. local members to take a definite stand in the matter and if they won't, then we must dump them. (To the Chairman): Are you prepared to support the basis of the "user shall pay"? • ■.-:' The Chairman: Yes. Cr White: That is a basis; let us get going. I am prepared to say we shall get the whole support of the Farmers' Union for that to a man. Petrol Taxation • f*" The Chairman: I would not say that. Some of the Farmers' Union went to Wellington and Mr Feisst said that if the benzine taxation was increased by id they would get total derating. Cr White: We can leave derating out. The chairman and Cr Cox replied that the Farmers' Union would not leave it out, and the latter again referred to the gain which should be received from benzine taxation. Cr White: I object to going for benino taxation. That can be put. on,andoff. It might, be 2d, 8d or lid. If we stick to the user shall pay we are on a sound basis. An across-table discussion followed as to whether waggons and buggies should pay and whether a waggon used three times a year should pay as much as one taking cream to the factory daily. Cr White protested that small Icta'ds were clouding the major issue. In any case the system could' be made far more equitable than it was to-day. Cr Pohlen held that individual bodies couldxlo little. The Counties Association and Farmers' Union should push the matter and keep it tofore Parliament. Feeling of Meeting. To test the feeling of the meeting

Cr White proposed that the Matamata County Council supports a system which will ensure that the user of the roads pay for the maintenance thereof. As a commencement *thc whole of the tax levied on motor spirit, tyros, etc., to be paid into a roading fund to be used for subsidising all roading expenditure and that this action be demanded from the Government. We request, that this matter shall receive full consideration with a view to calling: & conference at an early date of all local bodies interested. He suggested the resolution' be sent to all the local councils in the Auckland Province and the Auckland ,executive of the Farmers' Union and "the Dominion executive, and the Counties Association. Also to ask for the views* of these bodies on the question of calling a conference to discuss the matter.

Cr E. Nickle seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.