Mr. Wason.

Progress, Volume III, Issue 10, 1 August 1908, Page 346

Mr. Wason.

The ex-New Zealander. Mr Cathcart Wason, representing the Hebrides in the House of Ooramons, is distinguishing himself by keeping an eye on the motor hog. On May 18th he protested against the practice of driving Tip to SO miles an hour ou roads, and was only told by the President of the L. G. Board that if proceedings had been taken that hog would have been "' liable to be convicted." A hard thing pei-haps for a man asking for the bread of new legislation. But what would you when the charge is only general? The other day Mr Wason declared that the increasing fatalities were due to the motors of all sorts, and asked for a law to compel construction on lines of limited speed. Mr Burns had another rock for him He did not see that the increase of accidents was even as great as the increased tr-iffic; and he doubted if the lion, gentleman's suggestion was practicable. Again Mr Wasou returned to the charge, with a persistency worthy of the son of theman who after years and years of litigation (in ye Wason v. Walter) lost his case but <,< hieved permanent privilege £<U tfle press in rr the reports of Parliament. He asked if the Government would prohibilively tax all motors capable of travelling beyond a certain speed. This brought up Mr Llo\d George, who wis as prudent as any Taffy ever could be. He said : The taxation of motor cars is a subject to which I am giving careful attention- but I may remind my hon. friend that the policy of His Majesty's Government is not to impose taxes for purposes other than that of raising revenue, and' thi* object is not conveniently attained b\ imposing taxes which are prohibitory

This answer turned the edge of the Wasonian wrath, but it inspired certain f ear^ in the general body of motorists. One of their organs thus puts it: It is well re•cogn;sed that the Government will require fresh areas of taxation if the necessities of next year's Budget are to be met, and it is beginning to be universally recognised that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will not spare any possible victims. In this wav the Cabinet may prove more harassing to motorists than if they were even to introduce repressive legislation. Motorists in the Dominion are wondering -what may happen next.