CASS AND ROADS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1926, Page 1

CASS AND ROADS.

AIATN HIGHWAYS BOARD,

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 10

That 100 cars had Imen coming into New Zealand each day for the past six months, but that this high rate of importation could not bo maintained, were statements made by AH F. W. Furkert, chairman of the Alain Highways Board, when urging, at a conference with the Waipara County Council on Saturday night, that the counties should make application for grants while the fund was in its present healthy position. “Motor-cars arc coming into this country at the rate of 100 a day,” said Air Furkert. ■‘They have been doing so for the past six months. It may astonish von; but it is true. T cannot believe that they can go on coming in at that rate. My horse sense tells mo that New Zealand cannot go on indefinitely absorbing that many cars. And here is the point: Once they stop, once the number goes down, the revenue will fall hack. ’ .MUST HAVE GOOD ROADS.

Air Furkert said that the counties should take advantage of the present healthy linaneial situation, and make any claims that they had to make while the time was opportune. "Speakin"■ as a motorist myself,” he said, can say that so long as the motorists receive good roads they will lx' satislied, but they want the roads. If the roads are not kept in first-class order, the motorists will want to know "hat the board is doing with their money. They will ask what they are paying the tax for.” Motorists. Mr Furkert said, gciieia - | v recognised that .they saved much more by paying the tax and trove hug on good roads than they would il the,\ paid no tax and travelled on had roads; “but,” he went on. They the good roads, or they are not going to pay the tax.” “As you all know, said Air 1- KWaldie" (Government representative), “the motor taxation is producing hirin’ revenue. The proceeds troni iegistrations this year are greatly in excess of what we anticipated. About 109,000 ears were registered prior to March 31 last, If was expected that ‘this number would not he more than 75 000, so we did not expect that this number would he greatly increased durum the following months. As a "lattei of fact, the revenue that has come m since April 1 has been thousands in excess of what wc thought it " oul(1 U Th«- fund, ho said, was in a healthy state ni the present time, but owing to the recent, increase that had been made in the subsidy, the revenue would c encroached upon to a greate, < than had U-eti provided lot. 1 ul ° the local bodies let the hoard kno" what their liabilities were iUl> to there was going to he turn • • . Hie present the expenditure on maintenance of highways had not come p H the amount that " turn round and ask, \\ Highways Board doing.