THE TOLL-GATE QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1917, Page 7

THE TOLL-GATE QUESTION.

(ABOLITION TO BE (RESISTED. 'A circular has been issued to members of Parliament embodying a protest from the Hawera, Taranaki, Stratford, and Elthm County Councils which, at a conference, passed the following resolution: "That a representative of each County Council represented tie appointed a committee to oppose any Bill for abolition of toll gates which -may be brought before Parliament and to oppose any action in Uhat (behalf interfering with Councils' existing statutory rights, also that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all members of Parliament in the Dominion." The circular states that "At present a 16-mile stretch of asphalt on one main road in the Eltham County, and on which the traffic is exceptional, is entirely maintained out of toll gate revenue (net £2050)." It also contains the following paragraph: "It is .perhaps worthy of note that the member for Egmont has never ascertained .the views of the Councils interested upon the wisdom or otherwise of abolishing toll gates. In conclusion, I am directed to request that yon will keep an open mind upon the matter of toll gate abolition until the committee appointed by the conference lias placed its views before the Public Bills Committee, and which request you .will, I trust, consider a reasonable one. Thanking you in anticipation." The circular is signed by Mr. W. J. Tristram, as secretary to the conference.