POLITICAL ACTION

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19160, 17 November 1927, Page 8

POLITICAL ACTION

THREAT BY MOTORISTS.

ALLOCATION OF REVENUE FROM PETROL TAX.

i "We are not a political organisa- '. tion " said Mr F. W. Johnston, who presided over last night's meeting of the • executive of tho South Island Motor ' Union, when discussing the petrol tax"l have often said," continued Mr Johnston, "that the time might arrive when we should throw off the mantle of 'rail-sitters' and dive straight into it. The time has now arrived.'' About two months ago the whole question was thoroughly threshed out at Wellington at a conference of representatives of the North and South Island Motor Unions and of the Highways Board. It was agreed there that motorists must pay more towards the cost of reconstruction and maintenance of the highways, and that the medium of payment should take the form of a petrol tax. It was also unanimously agreed that the proceeds of that tax should be allocated for expenditure in each island in proportion to the number of motor-vehicles in each island — i.e., on the same basis as the tyre tax is allocated on the basis of the number of motor vehiclea registered in -each island. The Prime Minister, in justifying the imposition of further taxation, stated that motor vehicles were wearing out the roads, and motorists, in taking the hint that the users should pay, affirmed once more tho principle laid down in the Main Highways Act in respect of the tyre tax, because North Island motorists do not wear out South Island roads, nor vice versa. It is now desired that the petrol tax proceeds shall be allocated on the same basis as the tyre tax proceeds. Bights of Motorists. Mr Johnston moved: "That although this Union is a non-political organisation, the time has arrived when we should take political action to protect the rights of all motorists and ratepayers in the South Island, and issue a clarion call to our 11,000 members, through their Associations, to exert their influence to have the proposed Highways Amendment Bill amended in the direction of providing that the South Island's fair share of the revenue under the Motor Spirits Act proportionate to the number of motorvehicles registered in the South Mand be allocated for use in the South Island. "We should now throw off our nonpolitical activity," he added, and suggested that the Union should watch the attitude adopted by M.P.'s in the House. If they did not give consideration to motorists' interests to oppose them at tho next General Election, which was not a very long way off, just long enough, in fact, to enable a campaign to be conducted. The Union should oppose all those M.P.'s who Wuuld not give promises to put forward motorists' claims. "It is of paramount importance to all motorists," he concluded. "We are entitled to enter the political arena in order to. watch the interests of motorists." Mr W. B. Carey seconded the motion, stating that the Union had always acted reasonably in regard to the Government, but unless they woke up there was a risk of motorists' rights not being respected. ,-,!.«. Mr E. Eggleßtone was asked by the chairman not to express any opinion concerning tho matter since he was a Government official holding a high position, the chairman not wishing him to say anything on a political matter m such circumstances. Mr Egglestone said he felt embarrassed at the position, and was thinking of resigning from the executive because of the circumstances in which he found himself. It was agreed that Mr Egglestone should not vote on the matter. M-P.'s Inactivity. It was stated that very little seemed to be done by South Island members for motorists when the matter was before the House. Tho chairman objected to the am being rushed through, as it had been, before it could be given consideration by motorists' organisations and local can take up the cudgels on our behalf?" asKed Mr J. S. Hawkcs. The chairman: The strong, mar, rt the South Island is Mr Dowme Stewart, but what can lie do? He must be loyal to his Cabinet. ■ » It was suggested that the support ot the various organisations should o.c obtained regarding tho matter. "Is it wise for us to try to get some collective effort in the matter?" asked Mr Carey. "This is our job and as the motorists' representatives we should take the lead. "I should go the length ot wiring to every county in the South Island, said Mr Johnston. The motion was carried. _ Earlier in the proceedings the chairman gave an account of the interview the deputation from the South and the North Island Motor Lnions had last week with the Minister for Public Works (Mr Williams), which was reported in The Press on Friday last. More than ever before, it was felt, he said, that there should be a second representative of motorists on the Main Highways Board, and that there should be no allocation out of the petrol tax direct to capital account and expenditure. The only benefit that the deputation had gained as a result of its visit to Wellington was an interview with one of Nature's gentlemen. With regard to the cry of the North v. South Island it should not be overlooked that if more money were spent in the North than the South Island the more men would migrate there to get the work that would be offer in e. The deputation had received a good reception and was promised that its suggestions would be given consideration. The Bill had since gone through the House and one could only express disappointment at the weak onposition put forward to it by the South Island members.