MOTOR TRAFFIC.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16160, 14 March 1918, Page 2

MOTOR TRAFFIC.

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES. J TYRE TAX SUGGESTED. A conference respecting motor traffic on county roads was held yesterday afternoon. There were present: Messrs S. A. Staples and C. W. Hervey (Waimairi). T. 0. Morgan and G. Maginniss (Paparua), J. Chapman (Little River), J. W. Kime (Springs), G. T. and R. M. Morten (Halswell), M. Coonev (Wairewa), E. H ay (Aiaroa). Mr R. M. Morten was voted to tho The chairman said that to provide roads for motor traffic—the motor was here, and was here to stay. "What thev wanted was power to get the owners to pay to ™ rds , n '™^" ance It was estimated that inotor traffic was responsible for between -o to 75 per cent, of .the cost ot upkeep. He referred to possible solutions of the difficulty—the imposition of a speed limit, the taxation of cars used tor public hire, a tyre tax, or the taking over b> the Government of the main arterr roads. Ho suggested that all should bo circularised on the subject, with the object of submitting a unanimous remit to the Counties' Conference to be held in June. In urging that a strong remit should be forwarded to the conference.. Mr Staples referred to circulars received from counties urging action owing to the Government stopping trains to race--courses, which had resulted in the roads being cut up by the extra motor traffic. Mr Maginniss said he thought a tyre or petrol, tax was the best solution ot the difficulty, the only difficulty arising out of the imposition of either tax being the basis of distribution amongst the local bodies. I Mr Mulcock suggested that it might be worth while applying to the Govern- | ment lor an increase of the subsidy to counties. Mr Morgan said that if they could not get financial relief, they should consider the question of lowering the speed limit. Mr Hervey said that the counties should get a proportion of the license fees collected by the City Council. He favoured a tyre tax. Mr Hay remarked that if a speed limit were agreed upon by the counties interested, it would be necessary to police the roads. Mr Chapman said that there were 21 miles of main road in liis county, and they were " anxious that something should be done. Mr Kime said that some of the roads in the Springs County were cut up by the through motor traffic. Mr Hay said that a tyre tax should •be imposed and collected through the Customs; the distribution might be made on the capital value of each county. After further discussion, Mr Staples moved: ''That the conference agree to send a remit to the Counties' Association that in the event of a tax being imposed, 6uch tax should be on tyrek." Mr Hervey seoonded the motion. Mr Mulcock moved, and Air Hay seconded, an addition to the effect that the tax. if raised be distributed amongst the local bodies. » The motion, with the addition, was agreed to. It was suggested that in respect of the motor traffic between Christchurch and Akaroa, the counties concerned should agree to adopt a uniform speed limit.

Mr Hervey said that motorists wanted a uniform speed limit throughout the South Island. Mr Mulcock moved, and Mr Morgan seconded: "That it be a recommendation to the counties interested to fix a speed limit of 25 miles an hour, and six miles per hour at points where the motorist cannot see 100 yards ahead of him. Mr Cooney moved as an amendment that the limit should l>e 35. miles, but there was no seconder. An amendment that the matter be ea °h. county to decide was lost, and the motion was agreed to.