DERAW FARM LARD.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 349, 31 July 1930, Page 1

DERAW FARM LARD.

BY HIGHER PETROL TAX.

Deputation to County Council.

A deputation from the Morrinsville branch of the Farmers’ Union, consisting of Captain F. Colbeck and Mr. M. E. Barrowclough, waited on the Piako County Council at its meeting last week to enlist the council s support for the derating of farm land by means of the funds that would be derived from an increased petrol tax. Captain Colbeck read a statement on the iines of his speech at a recent meeting cf the Morrinsville branch of the Farmers’ Union, particulars of which have already been published.

“Of course we know the arguments against derating and we will try to answer them,” he said, in conclusion. The farmer would pay for’the use he made of the road. He would not escape taxation. If he went joy-riding he Would pay the tax the same as other motorists.

The chairman (Cr. W. R. Lowry) said derating farm land was a great economic question, and needed full consideration before an opinion was expressed. He had full sympathy with the movement to derate farm land, and he understood that the Hon. W. D. Stewart, a former Minister of Finance, was in favour of derating. “We realise,” he added, “ that rates are rising all the time, and we are practically getting nowhere. It is right that the users of the roads should pay. It is only justice.”

Cr. Stark said any reduction in farmers’ costs was to be desired, and for this reason derating was sound in principle. No doubt the county conference’s suggestion to increase the tax by only 3d a gallon to provide funds for secontjary roads did not go far enough to please the Farmers’ Union, but it was a step in the right direction. He thought there was no hope of increasing the tax to Is a gallon, but it might be increased by 3d without much opposition.

The more one looked at the question the more complex it seemed. He did not think it fair to put all the cost of roads on users or benzine. He himself used a waggon to cart his manure and milk, and also drove cattle on the roads, and he did not think he should have a free road for these purposes. Most of the items on a rate notice referred to loans which had been expended long ago, and he asked if it was fair to expect motorists of to-day to pay for roads which had already been replaced. “We are paying for two bridges at Te Aroha, one pulled down and one still here,” he said. “ Why should the cost of the first bridge be 1 put on to the rnotoritss?” They also had a £9OOO loan for sand roads. The roads had since been metalled, but they were still paying for the loan. “Do you think it is a fair thing to put all those washed out loans on to the motorists?” he asked Captain Colbeck. Captain Colbeck replied that rates had not decreased since the 4d tax was imposed, but had increased, and he was of opinion that an extra 3d would not result in rates being decreased. As to the roads and bridges not now in existence, he said it was like the National Debt, which the present-day taxpayers had to pay interest on. Cr. Stark said at the present time he paid only £3 3s in petrol tax. He did all his carting by waggon. If derating was adopted he would not pay his fair share of the cost of the roads. Captain Colbeck said he was not trying to draft a bill to meet all objections. hut was only laving down the broad principles. When a bill was drawn up anv inequalities might be smoothed out. Mr. Barrowclough said at present farmers were being asked to ffiear the cost of roads that had been worn out. It was no more unfair to ask motorists to pay for these roads than to ask farmers to pay. Cr. W. McLean regretted that the Farmers’ Union, through its spokes-

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men, were insisting on an increase in the petrol tax of 8d per gallon, and would not consider a smaller increase. This was only angering motorists and playing into the hands of the cities. The chairman said tk points made by the deputation would be considered by the council. The deputation thanked the council for the opportunity given of stating the case for derating.