S.I. MOTOR UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1930, Page 5

S.I. MOTOR UNION

AGAINST GOVERNMENT,

(By Telegraph—Press Aesocdg-tion), CHRISTCHUR OH, September 26. Speakers at the meeting of the South Island Motor Union to-day expressed a determination “to fight the Government on its raid on the Main Highways Fund.” In this fight they intended to seek the co-operation of counties and Farmers’ Unions. Before next session, when further legislation will be necessary to continue the petrol tax, a ocnference of these bodies will discuss the finances of the Highways Board. Speaking at the meeting to-day, Mr An,sell held that the Government’s, action violated a contract sealed by legislation. “Nothing more serious than this raid on the Highways funds has happened in the history of motoring in this country,” said Mr Ansell. “You all know the details. There Is a total of £510,000, which is now a charge on the Highways Fund which formerly was not. The interests of counties are identical with those o>f the motorists. Originally subsidets were paid to the counties on the rates. They were free grants, but now the Government says they are not. This means that the counties are to be saddled with an increasing charge each year for interest and sinking fund till the amount becomes stagger-

ing.” Mr 11. Halliday (Otago), said the Union had always been a non-political body, but he was afraid they would have to change that, and to take to policies. The present Government, he thought, could not last long.