COUNTY CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1835, 22 August 1913, Page 5

COUNTY CONGRESS.

THE THIRD DAY.

IMPOSTS ON MOTOR CARS. PRINCIPLE FAVOURED. OUTLINE OF OTHER BUSINESS. "We are stronger than the Government," was a statement made at yesterday's Counties' Association Conference which was resumed in the Sydney Street Schoolroom under the presidency of Jlr. A. E. Jail (Waipawa), and at which several important i - emits which, if pu£ into force, would have far-reaching effects, were passed. The president first announced that the two committees set up to deal with motor traffic, and Nativo rating had not their rejXH'ts ready for consideration, the latter being still in conference with Mr. Martin. For that reason it would not be wise to take the report of the commvtteo set up to deal with the constitution of counties. . Tllis suggestion was agreed to. Absentee Owners, Mr. H. H. S. Ryder (Castlepoint) moved that on "absentees' rato" of 10 per cent be levied on property, the owner of which had not resided within the county for 6ix imonths. ' Tho president remarked that, the remit made no distinction between tho absentee who improved his property and tho absentee who did not. The remit was defeated, the president remarking that "the mover did not want, a county to'be full of absentees," an Irishism which caused a roar of laughter. A suggestion that a charge of 10 per cent be added to all unpaid rates at the end of two months from the demand instead of six months, was defeated, an Amendment that the conference was satisfied with tho present system which was parried disposing of this and five other remits. Tramways or Damaged Roads. Jlr. H. J. Middleton (Invercargill) noved: "That whereas county councils have now power to grant concessions to lay tramways, on county roads, in tho opinion of this conference, extended powers should be given county councils to compel the laying of tramways bv proprietors of special' industries which are ' in the opinion of the said councils likely Jo causo extraordinary traffic over. and excessive damage to county roads." At present, he remarked, they could only take, action when the roads had been i wrecked. For 20 or 30 years residents in lis district had travelled through mud ' and as soon as they made a light metal road the special industry came in' and they were back in tie mud. • In one case damage to the amount of ,£2624 was done,, and all the council received towards that' was <£500 from timber royalties and £500 grant from the Government. Tramways could ba laid at £100 a mile, whereas the cost of repairing the road was £SCO. Mr. Wilson (Bulls) showed that under Section 151 of the Public Works Act the local authority could get a guarantee of indemnity from the special industry for all damages done; Mr. Middleton 'replied that the Crown Piosecutor had advised them that they had no remedy until the damage was done. ■The remit was, however, outvoted, a 9 was tho next suggesting that local'bodies should havs a voice in the selection of valuers, and that one at least should have local' knowledge and experience.

PRINCIPLE FAVOURED,

Some Miscellaneous Matters. A protest was ordered to be sent to . the Governmeut against tho .unnecessary delay of tho Valuation Department in making revaluations. . Standard Bridge Plans. Mr. A. Sinclair' (Wairoa) moved that the Government bo asked to submit a standard set of bridge plans, and remarked that grants were in many cases swamped in building bridges, the money being absorbed in building bridges far stronger than was necessary. The president pointed out that no engineer would stake his reputaton by submitting plans to meet all cases. Mr. J. Studholme (Ashburton) moved "That tho Government be requested to see that no lands be acquired by thp Government and cut up for settlement ■until a sufficient water supply is assured by the local, authority," argumg that settlers took a section and then found there was.no water. -It was said, in reply, that there wero thousands of acres where tha Government could not supply water unless they .increased the' rain stipply, and the remit* was defeated. Mr. Middleton, when moving "that tho Government bo urged to pursue a vigorous immigration policy" was told by the president that that was not a remit which that oonierence should deal with, but, nevertheless, tho remit was carried, Mr. Middleton remarking that they could not get men for road-making though it was said that .there were 1000 unemployed in !New Zealand.

•Mr. H. Paterson (Paparua) moved: "That the conference take into consideration thd desirability of forming branch associations in the several provinces," but several delegates described this remit as

"retrograde" and "provincial," Mr. Rhodes, M.P. (Coromandel) remarking that he remembered the attempt to divide the tivo islands and have separate Governments and that this remit • was the thin end of the wedge. It was an education for all of them to come to one conference, and he would be sorry to have that conference cut up into county conferences.

The president suggested that more power ehould be given to the executive to deal with remits. To set up provincial conferences would not promote harmonious working at that annual conference. The remit was thereupon withdraws. Level Railway Crossings. ' Jlr. Ritchie (YVonganui) proposed: "That tho attention of the Government be called to the shocking waste of human life Caused through accidents at level railway crossings, and respectfully' pray that immediato action be taken to redueo these casualties by minimising the existing risks, which, tea very great extent, are reducible by the removal of obstructions to. the view at, and near, level crossings. As a further means to this end it is respectfully suggested that com-petitive-designs be invited for a signalling or blocking apparatus, with a further and much more substantial bonus for any device proving an eflicicnt, enduring, and economical safeguard." The speaker described how, • a few years ago, owing to tree obstruction, he drove on to tho.track before noticing the approach o? tho train, .and though his horso was killed and ho narrowly escaped with his life, theonly reply he got from the milway authorities was a threat of prosecution for trying to cross the lino when a train wa9 approaching. Tho remit was agreed to. Soms Odds and Ends, A proposal to hold county elections in May, instead of November, was defeated, o delegate remarking: "Some of you seem to be everlastingly wanting to alter things." The president spoke strongly against a remit urging the - Government, to amenti the Hospital and Charitable Institutions' •Act so as to allow one or more adjoining counties to form a hospital and charitable aid district for the purpow of local administration, and tho remit was withdrawn. Gum Land Classification. The following remit was agreed tn: "That in view of the unsatisfactory position of gum lands throughout the north this council is of opinion that the Government should take steps to classify gum lands: Certain areas being set Asids as areas suitable for gum-digging, and certain arras being set aside as being useful or suitable for settlement under the Land Laws Amendment Act, areas to be set aside for settlement under an afforestation scheme, and areas closed for diggers only." Committee's Report on Boundaries, On resuming, the confcrence, proceeded to discuss the report of the committee appointed to consider three remits with regard to the'constitution of counties and tlia alteration of boundaries and the

merger of road districts, which recommended: "(1) That the conference should endeavour to get legislation to lessen tho number of counties, and in. the event of such legislation being passed, community of interest and natural boundaries should be the first consideration; (2) that the previous remit being in favour of reduction, tho remit that no new , county be formed where road boards exist unless of a rateable value of £2,0(10,0(10, was unnecessary; and (3) that the remit to amend Section'3l, so as to enable a portion of a road district to merge into the county should be granted, as every encouragement ought to be given to abolish dual control, always provided the proposal is carried by a majority of ratepayers and of value."

Tho president spoke in favour of tho reduction of the number of counties, remarking that there were 118 counties in New Zealand. Ho asked the delegates to forget, if they could, the particular features of their own counties, and appealed for community of interest. , Tho report was then adopted in its entirety. "Government Dare Not." Speaking on a remit suggesting the amalgamation of local bodies, Jlr. jciailey (Waikato) remarked, "You have no chanco of abolishing town boards and road boards. Town boards have been a complete success, as stepping-stones to boroughs, .No Government dare pass such legislation." Mr. W. J. Poison (Wanganui) replied: "If the committee of to-day was as timid as those which have preceded it, we could not hope for any measure of reform." Jlr. Studholme (Ashburton) moved the following resolution, which was carried: "That no Local Government Bill will adequately meet the necessities of the case which does not provide' for a material and compulsory reduction in the present number of rural local bodies by tho merging of a largo number of the smaller local bodies into the county councils." Report on Motors.

The committee appointed to consider nine remits dealing with motors, taxes, etc., recommended that an annual tax be imposed on motors, according to the weight, 10s. for motor-cycles, £1 for motors under a ton, £2 between one and two tons, and ,£'3.over two tonsj'that the tax bo handed to the district hospital and charitable aid board; and that every county council should have power to make- by-laws prohibiting the driving of motor-cars, etc., except by certificated drivers over the age of 16, providing for the payment of fees for certificates of competency, regulating the fares and charges for motor vehicles plying for hire, .providing for the appointment of inspectors,of licensed motor vehicles, and empowering any inspector to enforce tho by-laws.

The minority report was in favour of a 20 per cent, duty on all motor-cars, and ss. per cent, on motor-cycles, to be paid to the Consolidated Revenue, and was against the resolutions contained in the majority report.

■Jlr. StudUolme, having moved the first portion of the report dealing with taxation, Jlr. Moore (Makara) moved an, amendment that motor-cars be taxed, and that the revenue be allocated to tho upkeep of arterial main roads.

Mr. Quin: How are you going to allocate it?

Mr. Moore: Leave that to the Govern, ment,

Mr. Bailey (Waikato) mentioned that at a meeting of motor owners called by tho Mayor of Auckland, when it was suggested jthat they, the local bodies and the Government should provide .£3OOO each for the improvement of the roads, the motor owners laughed at the idea, though they insisted on having the roads. Mr. F. Horrell (Kangiora) thought this, was a harassing tax on those who contributed the largest portion of ordinary rates in tho country; Mr. •' Rhodes, M.P. (Coromandel), did not seeuvhy motor-cars should be picked out for taxation, but if a tax was imposed, he thought the money should be spent for the benefit of the motor owners, and not for the benefit of the whole world.

Mr. Gow (Opotiki) thought the proposed tax was a step in the wrong direction, and that it was like their ancestors taxing windows because the rich had tho most.

Mr. Howie (Pohangina) contended' that were a necessity, and not a luxury, especially for the people living in the back-blocks.

Mr. Fisher (Waipa) agreed with the tax, but opposed both resolution, and amendment. .

Mr. J. B. Donald(Waipukurau)asked if a motor-car did more harm to the roads than a four-horse wagon, and added, "It is nothing but a class tax."

Mr..Ritchie (Westmere) contended that any tax under JilO was useless.

Mr. J. D. Bruce (Akaroa) suggested a duty on motor tyres, remarking that if the tyres wore not used the roads would not be used.

The amendment was then defeated, and Mr. Quin, who was responsible for the. minority duty, then proposed another amendment: "That an.import duty of .20 per cent, be levied on all cars, and 5 per cent, on motor-cycles," remarking that in .1912 motor-cars and accessories to the value of .£700,000 were imported iuto'the Dominion, whilst only iliß,ooo was paid in duty.

On a point of order, the president ruled' that the question.of tariff could not be discussed. ,

The president then suggested that the conference should have a straight-out issue whether there should bo a tax or not. This issue was voted on, and was decided in the affirmative on a division, after the president had> ruled it to bo lost.. •

Jlr. Gow then moved that the whole matter be deferred to the nest conference, and the president remarked that they had just affirmed the principle of taxation, and that it was manifestly impossible to put .a scheme before the Government which would be sufficiently strong to ensure them legislating upon it.

The amendment to hold over the matter of taxation until the-next conference was then carried, after which Jlr. Bailey proposed that the rest of the committee's report be also deferred was likewise carried. Last of the Day's Business. Mr. R. C. Smith (Otamatea) moved: "That loans approved prior to the passing of the Guaranteed Advances Amendment Act should be placed on the same footing as those raised after that date," romancing that his council applied for a loan at ISj per cent., and hail not got it yet, but h'au to pay 4} per'cent. The-re-mit was agreed to.

Speaking on a remit recommending a bare majority for loans', the president said that no local body which could not securo three-fifths of the votes recorded in' favour of their proposal to borrow money could claijn that they had a satisfactory proposal. Tho remit was then defeated.

Mr. Staples (Waimairi) moved: "That owners subdividing land within five miles of a city of 20,000 inhabitants or over be compelled to fence all road boundaries before dedication," and after lengthy discussion this was passed. Mr. H. J. Slado (Hobson) moved that one-half of the' revenue from tho sales of timber on State forest reserves be paid to the local authority and said that such a promise was given some years ago by tho Right Hon. Sir Joseph AVard, and that the Prime Minister had only that morning assured him of his wish that that should bo done. .An amendment that "a fair proportion" instead of "onehalf" be substituted, was carried after being declared lost. Mr. Scholes (Waitomo) proposed a remit (consisting of G5 lines of printed matter), urging Government to adopt a new system .with regard to the opening up of new country, so that the reading Qould be dealt with in a more systematic and efficient manner, and asking that a comprehensive scheme of reading be immediately considered.—This was agreed to, and the conference then adjourned until 9.30 this morning, the executive being authorised to consider the rules of the association, and bring forward suggestions when the'- conferenco resumes.