TAX ON MOTORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1920, Page 4

TAX ON MOTORS.

~ FOR UPKEEP OF THE ROADS. GENERAL WHEEL TAXOBPCSEXV By Telegraph—Press AMookllott. .Wellington, La»i;,Nl£l»t. ' The annual conference of the Ntw Zealand Automobile Union opened today. ,;. The first matter considered/ was the question "of motor taxation, 'ifhich had b&ra the .ground of the resignation of the president, Mr. P. 8. McLean, of Napier, in that he did not agree with tile policy of the Union'* executive in regard to a tax on tyres. Mr. Ivan Wilson (Wairarapa Association) rucked that the resolution of the annual meeting of 1019 regarding a tax on tyres, be rescinded, ' • In the course of ah interesting discussion which followed, it was stated that the imports of tyres and tubes.into New Zealand last year was £1,000,<)00. Some speakers emphasised the necessity of seeing that the money paid by motorists should be spent on the roads. The Government should receive and handle the money. It was contended that local authorities at present were tajted unfairly and irregularly, and it was no that the money went On tte roads, which were in, a scandalous state. ■ ■' T

The motion for recissioa Was kit almost unanimously. A motion was adopted asking that the tax should be by special Statute on tyres f that the scale of taxation should be gradv»ited for different classes' of tyres, the proceeds to be used entirely for the improvement of roads, and should* be administered by tin independent board representing the interests concerned; that rebates be *!• lowed, and no other taxes be alloyable; that the tax be levied proportionately on all road users.

The Minister, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, replying to the representations, paid the amount suggested to be raised by taxation— £ I,ooo,ooo—was a mere drop in the bucket for road improvement. Motorists must contribute more than double that amount, whether the tax he on tyres or weight »nd power. He wa*> opposed to a general wheel tax. whfch Parliament would never pas*. Rebates on taxation must '• be granted diseriminately on Vehicles used for pleasure or business. . He agreed on the necessity for annual registration, but thought the problem ol uniform by-laws difficult, through ideal pride Every driver should be lipensed, The legislation would be largely on the linos of Sir Francis Bell's Bill of 1914, with improvements. ' All motor tax pro. coeds would be used on the road through a National Road Board.