UPKEEP OF ROADS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1657, 25 January 1913, Page 8

UPKEEP OF ROADS.

I SUGGESTED TAX ON MOTOR-CABS. ! / (By TclOfrraph.—Spcolal Correspondent.) Auckland, January 24. The question of tho upkeep of the main arterial roads, and surprise that has been expressed in motoring' circles at the suggestion that ' motorists should bo taxed for such upkeeps, was referred to by tho I Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) in tho course of ■ an-interview with a "Herald" reporter. ; ■ "The president of the automobile -Asso- ' ciation (Mr.' Neville. Ncwcombe)," said ! Mr. "Parr, "has evidently misunderstood my remarks to the Prime Minister. I repeat what I said then, that ,a number of prominent motorists' liqve fissured mo that |"ith«y aref/brejiarett'to ip.ff fail; sharo towards tho iipkeef of the'mriin roads, and foT.this, purpose to submit to, a moderate tax.' . Motorists in self-defence must do something. The main roads in and out of Auckland are so bad that motoring will become, a boro rather, jthan. a pleasure unless something is dono to' put them in good condition... I am sure that no reasonable person. would object to a small rate on -his'car if he could be given good roads in return. It is idle t*> suggest just at present that the Government should nut the main roads in first-class order. Wo all know that- the Government has not the money to do this even if it felt inclined. If wo wait until tho .Government 1 can attend to tho matter wo shall probably, have to wait for a quarter of'a century. My idea is that the motorists should submit to a small annual tax, say on ah average £3 per year. I believe that over 1000 cars of ono sort and another are, running in this province. They could' bo. rated according to horse-power, which would perhaps bo .a fair basis. A tax averaging i£3 per car Would provide interest, sirikinc fund, and charges on a loan of ,£GO,OOO. which, if subsidised, as promised by Mr. Massey, by an equal amount from tho Government, would .nut tho main roads from Auckland to Wailiflto, and from Whangarei to Auckland, in really good order. A special Act would bet<?(mired, in which it. could be provided that the mosey raised in this way must bs devoted to road-making arid to no other purpose. I think no motorist would grudge, say, ,£0 a yenr. provided ho were assured of a 3ecent, highway. Unless motorists take some action of this kind, the main roads -.about Auckland wilj remain what they are to-day—tho worst in the ' Dominion. ' Moreover, in nearly, every other country motorists submit to some form of taxation. They cannot oxneot to use the highways in thousands and leave tho ordinary ratepayer'to bear the whole cost of the upkeep." . In. conclusion; Mr. Parr said he considered that the Government , should contribute a third of the cost of upkeep, local bodies a third, and motorists n third. A smooth highway meant that; tho cars ' did not Buffer. A well-known motorist' had assured him that during the Christmas holidays, through the rough ronds, the main snring of his car wis broken, and it<cost him £5 to put it right again.