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Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1924, Page 2

A i.Tiiorcui tlio Borough Council hist week did not give detailed consideration to the Motor Vehicles Bill submitted to it for remark, the measure is certainly one i;t interest to all local bodies, for the reason that all roads are used more or less by motor traffic, and if the legislation in llie matter is to ihe equitable, all should derive some benefit from the taxation to be enforced. As the law stands the Hokitika Borough Cumi- ‘ iI lines not benefit by any revenue Horn the proposed legislation. Vet. u.s the roads of the town are stibjc: ted to heavy traffic, as well as light by motors, it seems altogether unfair that financial aid should not be forthcoming. Hokitika happens to be a railway centre, w lienee timber is exported, and the roads through the town are used largely for transport purposes. Such being the case there should be some diieet or indirect return to the local body for tlio cost it is put to maintain the mails for tlio traffic in question, or rather to keep them in repair as a result cf the undue wear and tear done by the heavy traffic. The Bill as it stands is in genet ous mood only .so far as main highways are concerned, but that is not an equitable position, seeing that other roads preponderate and carry the major portion. of the traffic. It will be not surptising if tlio Bill, which the House last week referred to a special Committee, is altered materially for the benefit of local body revenue. The Minister in charge was not

Imppy in liis advocacy <if the measure. The only satisfactory j oint lie made was that the mosaic was designed, inter alia, to control motor traffic, and this will he apj'.i'ove:! geneially. The Westland County Council at its late meeting approved •that aspect of the Bill, hut dissented ffom the revenue ptoposals which would lui the total bedie.s of income already secured to them when motor hy-laws are in ferte. This view was mentioned lil.su at the Highways Council niccting at Groymoath last Friday night. so that with the members of local bodies alive to the trend of the present legislation, it will he not surjn ising if before Parlihnieht is done with the Bill, the measure will he revised considerably, and better justice doiie from a revenue jx.int of view to the local bodies.

In the course of the debate in the House oil the Motor Vehicles Bill. Mr Wilford put his linger on the real object of the measure to help the linance of the Highways Board at the expense of the local bodies. The revenue for the Dominion is expected to he not less than £IOO.OOO, and this would | ass to a Board which contnii uted in most eases only cue third of the maintenance of the highways, or half the cost <:T ( (instruction. "I he balance in both instances had to he provided by the lo.al bodies as best they could, bocal bodice would lose revenue previously inllccicd. and there is naturally much 01-jc:tiin t:» tlie tiiian iul proposals ol the Bill, .lust now heavy obligations are on the local bodies regarding the roads I realise of the nature of the trnflic, and to cx(hide the local authorities from ja - tieipation in the income under the licensing system, is to throw an undue burden oil the ratepayers. Westland County is having one e.xj erienre of this nature through the less ol limber royalties, and if the County is to lose its motor taxing leveiiue also, and is still

exjoeted li carry on in the matter of road mainleiiam e. then the ratepayers Will have to fool the hill ol costs, which means iiic:ec-ing rates all round. There has been some suggestion that heavy trallic motor taxation should he preserved to lo:al bodies for district roads, hut the legislation is not framed yet. Mr Coates has iccognised this as- | ect of the position, which suggests there i- some ho|ie of nltims:te relief. At the same l.inn* one woode s what the local holy representatives on the Highway Ihaml are doing to allow the birthright of the authorities to he taken from them. There should have 1 1 rim some outward ] uhlie protest ore this if local interests are to lie protected. To return to the starting point, that affe ting Boiuogh finance, the local body which, has its share of inninr (rallic and the liability lot upkeep • should have also some share of the revenue to be derived, and this should lie sought at the jirescnt juncture when the J rov.’sions of the Bill arc under further (lose scrutiny by the members of Parliament. It is (Citainly the time to jeess for consideration now lictiCe it is too late.