TRAFFIC LICENCES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 83, 24 April 1937, Page 5

TRAFFIC LICENCES

TelearraDh— Press Assooiation.)

Southland County Protest at Change LOSS OF REVENUE

(By

INVERCARGILL, Last Night. A unanimous protest against the proposal of the Government to take away from county councils authority fco issue motor drivers5 licences was made by members of the Southland County Council to-day. A copy of the proposals for alterations in th© method of issuing licences was reeeived by the council from the Transport Department, and stated that it was proposed to revise the system of traffie control so that in future cities and boroughs with a population exceeding 6000 would be responsible for their own enforcement as at present, and the Government would be responsible for smaller centres and rural areas. The proposals provided that the proceeds from the issue of drivers5 licences would be distributed to those authorities responsible for the control of traffie, and to the Government. At present these licences are issued by the various local authorities. "It will mean that we will lose over £1500 a year,55 said the chairman (Mr E1. F. Trapski), "and this will be one of the things which will cause us to put iip our rates.55 Cr. J. McNeill said the council should enter an emphatic protest against this latest interference with the county5s revenue. "The authorities/5 he said, "are making use of the argument that they are going to take over the control of traffie. We control it quite well now, and 1 don5t think they will make a better job of it/5 Cr G. Wyatt said it seemed as if the Government was taking away more than it was giving the county. He supported the protest. Cr T. Golden said the county would have to raise £1500 a year extra from ratepayers to make up for the loss from licences, and it would mean making an increase in the rates.