THE WHEEL TAX.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1919, Page 3

THE WHEEL TAX.

HOSTILITY OP THE COASTAL FARMERS. SOME PLAIN SPEAKING. That ,tlie dairy farmer of the Egmont County strongly resents the proposed imposition of a wheel tax by the Taranaki County Council. was evidenced by some strong remarks mnde at the meeting of the Kahotu Dairy Company in response to the request of a deputation from the Taranaki Agricultural Society for continued support to that society. | Messrs W. B. Grant, A. E. Washer, B. tlonevfield, and A. T. Moore comprised the deputation. After Mr. W. E. Grant had briefly stated .the position, pointing out that the society were desirous of continuing the improvements on Hie new show grounds, which belonged to the members themselves, Mr. Gibson said that he appreciated tjie» advantages of the society. Most' or the present members would continue their subscriptions—perhaps. The action of the Taranaki County Council, whose chairman was the president of the society, in introducing the proposed wheel tax rendered it no advantage to them to join the society. Despite this, however, he intended to heap coals of fire on their heads by continuing to be a member. This move of the Taranaki people through their council had done very grave harm to the Taraiiaki Agricultural Society, and there was Very good reason for the resentment that was felt, throughout their district. Mr Chapman felt very strongly on the subject, and said he was sorry Mr. Connett was not present. Mr. Connett, as" a member of the Harbor Board, had been a strong advocate of their district supporting the loan; also, as president of the Agricultural Society, hn had solicited their support; and, as chairman of the Taranaki County Council, liad carried the objectionable tax. If Mr. Connett were there that day ho would have got a warm time of it. Mr. Chapman said he had been a member of the society for many years, and had also been qn exhibitor, but he did not feel inclined to be an exhibitor any more or to go to the show. In a few years motor lorries would be owned by fanners; in fact, he was thinking of going in for one shortly. It was too far to drive cattle to .tho show, as they became footsore and deteriorated in value, and if they put the cattle on to a motor lorry they rendered themselves liable to a tax of £ls. If they used a hcr,se vehicle it would be too slow, and, moreover, they would be liable to a vehicle tax. Jf they went, to the show lliey were taxed again. In driving their cars they were taxed at tho toll-gate. Not that, lie objected to this so much if they obtained better roads. Ti'itfTle from their district was referred to by the chairman of the TnTanaki County Council as foreign traffic, and it-appeared to him that the Taranaki County Council looked to them to keep up their roads. He estimated that he travelled over IS or 20 miles of Taranaki County road every time he went to New Plymouth, for which he paid 5s toll, or more than ,'ld per mile. Was not that, he asked, contributing? They could, he said, go to Hawera show and exhibit, and, though tho distance was 10 miles further than to New Plymouth, it only required the same amount of benzine for the journey owing to the road being more level. Moreover, toll to Hawera was 2a, as against 5s tt> New Plymouth. Tt hurt them, he said, when the. president of the Agricultural Society came and begged their support, and," as head of the council, cut their throats. He certainly could not see his way to support the society when its head man was ,so j opposed to that part of the district, (Applause.) Mr. Tyler said that when the tax was levied the motor car fares would be increased, and he would have his subscription to meet that increase. Mr. T. Willcox said that he also was opposed to the ta.v. Had Mr. Connett been present he would have found himself in hostile country. He regretted he could not continue his subscription. Under other conditions, he would certainly have contributed. Mr. W. 0. Green said ho had already expressed plainly—a little too plainly, perhaps—his opinion of the wheel tax, which he considered a disgrace to the Taranaki County Council. At the present itime the Egmont County roads were very nearly as good as the Taranaki County roads without any toll. When Egmont County Council wanted revenue they increased their rates, and were also talking of raising a fresh loan. Taranaki people wanted to, live on what they called foreign traffic They coma come out themselves, to beg for support, over the Egmont roads free of cost, whereas Egmont people would not use Taranaki roads without paying toll, though he did not mind the toll so much, since he had got used to it. The proposed wheel tax was going to affect the Kahotu Dairy Company considerably, as they had to pay .toll. The Taranaki County Council bad put the heavy traffic by-laws into force, with the result that they could not carry more than thsee tons until September or October. They had aiso decided that they would put this new by-law into force, though a big deputation had waited on them. Mr. Connett, in particular, had stressed this, and now came and begged them to support the Agricultural Society. He, for one, had supported the society with more than subscriptions in the past, but would not do so in the future. The interests of the people in that district in the past lay towards New Plymouth, but in future, if the wheel tax wont on, tlicy would lie the other way. He was very sorry Mr. Connett was not present that day. Mr. Washer stated he had recently come to New Plymouth from the Ilawera district, and was strongly opposed to tho tax, which lie considered a downright disgrace, but he urged them not to turn the society down without consideration. He wanted to, see ,tho society progress, and urged them to keep in touch with it. Mr. W. It. Wright said that it was a great pity that Mr. Connett, before going on with the wheel tax, did no# consider what its effect was going toibc. He had worked hard in the Taranaki County, and also on the Harbor Board, and no one had worked harder in connection. with the Agricultural Society. His action in regard to the wheel tax had upset al) the good he had done in connection with tho Agricultural Society in their district. Certainly, regarding the Harbor Board, he hod been interested in seeing that he got the votes of this district for the loan proposal. Mr. A. T. Moore pointed out that there was a possibility of the wheel tax being dropped and toll-gates substituted. If this were .done it would not cost coastal residents more than at present to use the Taranaki County road to New Ply. mouth, and he suggested that they should 'become members conditionally on

the wheel tax not becoming operative. Mr. Chapman agreed to this, and, after 'further discussion, several others did likewise.