THE PROPOSED WHEEL TAX.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1919, Page 2

THE PROPOSED WHEEL TAX.

To The Editor.

Sir,—Ho the Taranaki County Council's aclion with regard to Imposing a wheel tax on all vehicles except wheel barrows, I am quit# sure that the object of the Council have In Fiew la altogether misunderstood. Tho Taranaki County Council is a body of very able and Intelligent gentlemen who have tie interest of New Zealand at heart. Some, no doubt, will think that the chief object Is finance. But Its nothing ol' the kind. Considering that for (he last three years that they collected very little more than about half the rates they required to carry on the necessary works of Ihe Council aud favored the poor starving bank liy borrowing the other half; but, of course. It was necessary to be able to show the road boards that they were not striking a high rate or they may not be willing to merge. The chief object the Council had In view was to Instill energy and thrift la the rising generation. At present the people are taking too many Joy rides in motor cars, and so forth, and aot alone losing their time, which might be put to better advantage at home on the farm to help to Increase the producing capacity of Ihelr holdings. They are In danger of getting lazy, Indolent, and, in fact, of losing the use of their lower limbs from constant sitting. This is what the Taranaki County Council had In view more than anything else. They thought If the rides were made more expensive the people might take more walking exercise, or they might, in fact, put the time in working on their farms or whatever the business might be. That this is clearly proved by the fact that the tax doesn't touch anybody outside the country boundary except, of course, that they might catch a fow cars from the capital of Taranaki. People being used to giving contributions for various purposes during the war would feel quite lost if there was not som6 thing Introduced to fill the vacant space. Considering tho rush of wealth that is going to flow Into this country from tho huge German Indomnity that is coming to New Zealand, what Is more appropriate than a substantial wheel tax which will remind us of the methods in Togue before the flood? It was always understood that Taranaki methods were of ancient origin. Hoping that you will publish this scribble to show that people are still clinging like glue to Jacob's method of road making,—l am, etc., JOHN DIGGINS. Inglewood.