COUNTIES CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1926, Page 4

COUNTIES CONFERENCE

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.!

WELLINGTON, July 21

Al the New Zealand Counties’ Association conference the election of an executive resulted: North Island: Alessrs J. W. Anderson (Matamata), S. Blackley (Hutt), J. S. Connett (Taranaki), K. W. Dalrymplc (Uangitikei), J. IV. Lllinghain (Daiinevirkc), C. Johnstone (Raglan), G. A. Monk (Horowhenua). South Island: Messrs Al. Bothell (Amuri), F. R. Fiatman (Geraldine), 11. B. Johnstone (VVaimate), Hon W. 11. Mclntyre (Duller), Air J. Ritchie (Vincent). Other officer selected were: President, Air A. K. .lull; vice-presidents. Messrs Y. P. E. Bowman (Gore); AV. Alrrison (Maxwelltown) ; Parliamentary representative, Hon J. B. Gow. The conference adopted a remit moved by Mr ('. Matthews (Cook) to amend the Act to provide for regulating the carriage of luggage hags on private ears, as well as on cars plying for hire.

Mr S. W. House (Manakau) moved that the Government he requested to consider the appointment of a Traffic Control Board for the purpose of controlling all vehicular and motor traffic throughout the Dominion, to supervise the issue of drivers’ licenses, to fix speed limits and generally to administer the Public Works Amendment Act, 1021, and the Motor Vehicles Act. 1921, and all regulations made thereunder.

Air House said that there was a good deal of overlapping, which could he avoided if such a Board was set up. Tlic chairman ? A proposal lias already been made for setting up a, Motor Transport Board in each Island.

Air House: If it was more extensive it would be very much hotter. The chairman-. More hoards?

Afr House: No; fewer Boards, and have all control and speed limits controlled by one TJoard.

Air Cawkewcll seconded tho remit. Air A. C. Bussell: Is this another Board ? (Laughter). The remit was defeated overwhelmingly.

Tile Cinference discussed llie question nf petrol taxation at some length. The meeting expressed itself almost unanimously in favour of it.

Mr C. Johnstone (Raglan) moved Hint the Government he asked to take over the maintenance of all declared main highways and provide funds for such man to n a nee hv way of a tax on petrol. The motion was carried. A discussion in regard to tho allocation of maintenance charges for Alain Highways ended in a decision to ask for a greater general subsidy instead of trying to provide special grants to counties for main highways that little serve the. county itself.

Air Dalryniplo (Rnngilikei) moved a remit that the rate of the subsidy from the Alain Hgihways Board for the maintenance of main highways should be based on the principle that the highway that carries a greater percentage of subsidy with a minimum, subsidy of 560 per cent, of the cost in respect of any main highway. Instances were given ky delegates of the remarkable increase in the cost of maintenance due to motor traffic. es 7 pccially holitlav traffic. The costs were

shown as having increased over varying short periods from £25 a mile to £l5O. and from £lO to £IJ4. An Ashburton delegate said that of 130 miles, eighty were north and south, earn ing chiefly through traffic, especially holiday traffic. The other fifty-nine were of use to the county. Air .J til 1 : It has been said that the tendency of the hoard is to he tender to motorists and disregard tho ratepayers. I want to assure you that it is not so. AVitli the exception of £25,000 contributed by the State, and intended to he devoted to maintenance to make for goikl roads, the whole roveum of Lht- hoard came from the motor tax. Therefore, it was essential that the views of motorists, as well as of counties. should be given consideration. He asked them to consider the enormous amount of continuous reclassification of 6003 miles of roads, if the remit were given effect to. Would it not give more benefit to counties generally to have a uniform increase in tho contribution of all roads than, that the hoard should select a few miles nf roads on the outside edges of counties for consideration ? Was there not a county responsibility and Government responsibility? .Mr Y. Bowman (Southland) said that the Act, when framed, made it mandatory to classify highways, hut it was soon seen to he impossible. The true principle was that the users should pay. AVhat would he plain, fair and reasonable would ho to ns’thc board for a greater subsidy than £ for £ for all main highways. He moved accordingly. The motion was carried practically unanimously.