DAMAGE TO ROADS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 214, 29 May 1918, Page 6

DAMAGE TO ROADS

FARMERS' UNION DISCUSSION. (By Telegraph-Special Correspondent.) Masterton, May 28. Mr. H. Vile (Palnierscon North) moved at the Farmers' Conference to-day, "That the Government impose on racing clubs a tax lof 1 per cent, on the_ totalisator returns to pay for the repair of roads damaged by extraordinary traffic to race meetings." i Mr. E. A. Campbell (Wanganui) disagreed with the motion. It was not only race traffic which damaged the roads, and a tax should be placed upon thoso who used the highways. In Taranaki they got at the trouble by erecting toll-gates. It would be unfair to single out the people who had an occasional day's recreation at a race meeting. He instanced the huge numbers of cars which were driven to agricultural shows and other functions. Racing already paid heavy taxes and contributed large sums to the Stute. .. Mr. E. Law (Shannon) said that as there was no possibility of New Zealand stopping racing he would vote for the motion. Mr. W. B. Matheson favoured the abolition of racing. Sir. A. D. M'Leod (Martinborough) supported Mr. Campbell. Eveni if the conference decided in favour of the abolition of racing the farmers in general would not support them. The people who spent an occasional day at the races were not the only people who used roads. Formers motored to stock sales day after day, and only a small percentage of those who did so went for business purposes. Mr. T. Moss (Eketaliuna) did not agree with the motion, 011 the ground that they should not touch ill-gotten gains, Mr. J. Prottse (Levin) supported tho amendment in strong terms. Mr. 11. A. Kevins (Tinui) said that if essential nien„were wasting time going to races why did the military boards not step in? The amendment was carried.