THE WHEEL TAX.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1919, Page 5

THE WHEEL TAX.

OPPOSED BY STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL. The TaranaJci wheel tax proposals were discussed at a meeting of the Stratford Borough Council at its last meeting, and was condemned in the strongest terms by members. The deputy-mayor (Mr 0. Jackson) described the proposad as scandalous and said he could not understand sucli a ridiculous tax being proposed in any British community. It would be as bad as Russia if they had to pay such taxes. Cr. Cameron, who referred to the by-law as the most iniquitous thing ever attempted by a local body, moved that all local bodies interested be written to and invited to attend a conference at Stratford to discuss the matter. Cr. Lawson seconded. Cr. Newton said that the by-law was more far-reaching than appeared on the surface. If all counties had exercised the power of imposing such a tav on the pleasure of running a car it would cost anything from £SOO to £IOOO a year. The present idea'wag a species of madness. The Government should impose a reasonahle tax, and pay out to the different counties sums 1 proportionate to the length of through road each had. Cr. Hunter said that one license fee should be sufficient for the whole country. The by-law would mean the ruination of New Plymouth. It was exhorbitant and the council should fight against it. Similar views were expressed by Councillors Young and Stewart, and the motion was carried unanimously, .».,..-