PAYING FOR ROADS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 677, 31 May 1929, Page 6

PAYING FOR ROADS

MOTORISTS OPPOSE LOWER HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES PETITION TO PARLIAMENT Press Association NAPIER, Thursday. The agitation of heavy traffic interests to secure from the Government a reduction in licence fees is being strenuously opposed by motorists in the North, according to Mr. R. E. Champtaloup, touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association, who is visiting Napier. Mr. Champtaloup said that if the Carriers’ Federation was successful approximately £250,000 in taxation would bo transferred to motor-car owners. Figures indicating that motor-lorries paid heavy traffic fees of £75 were quoted, but these applied to approximately only 350 vehicles in the Dominion. When it was considered that there were roughly 25,000 heavy vehicles licensed, and the fees collected were under £250,000 —an average of £lO a vehicle —it would be realised that heavy traffic was not paying a very unreasonable rental for road usage. It was apparent that if the heavy traffic fees were abolished, either the construction of roads must be delayed and maintenance reduced, or the petrol tax must be increased. Engineers stated definitely that heavy vehicles were doing more damage than they were paying for. Moreover, the Main Highways Board was compelled to construct roads to carry heavy traffic—roads of heavier construction than was necessary for motor-cars. Consequently, it was contended, the increased cost should bo borne by the vehicles for which the extra expenditure was necessary.

Mr. f hampthloup, who is discussing the subject with the automobile associations on behalf of the Auckland Association, this evening met the members of the Hawke’s Bay Automobile Association and put forward a proposal from Auckland that a monster petition be prepared for presentation to Parliament. The local motorists unanimously supported the suggestion.