TOLL GATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1920, Page 5

TOLL GATES.

REPLY TO CRITICISM. TARANAKI COUNTY SCHEME. The proposal of the Taranaki County Council to erect throe toll-gates on ths outskirts of New Plymouth was referred to by tlie chairman of the Council (Mr. J. -S. Counett) at yesterday's meeting, when lie replied to the opposition of the -New Plymouth Borough Council and to the criticism of the Taranaki Daily News. Mr. Connett said: Since last meeting the Taranaki Daily News has seen fit to severely criticise our action in connection with the toll-gate proposals. They are termed "proposals of a secretive nature, which have never been discussed in open Council"; also "a threat to the development and prosperity of New Plymouth," and "now that the town is- experiencing remarkable expansion it views the action of the Taranaki County Council with consternation, and looks upon it as highly detrimental and likely to result in diverting a great deal of business elsewhere." Further the News says "that in waiting on the Minister I failed, to carry out a recognised custom of procedure,"', in other words, have shown discourtiesv to the member for Taranaki. Now, I am sorry that the News has seen fit to rush into print without first becoming conversant with the facts, and I also regret to note that an endeavor ifi being- made to create a town versus country feeling in this matter. Partisans to a cause often take a selfish view of things, but to the Press we look for broader views. The facts of the ease are as follow: On March 2(1 a resolution was passed in open council, "that application be made to the Minister of Public Works for

The facts of the ease are as follow: On March 2(1 a resolution was passed in open council, "that application be made to the Minister of Public Works for permission to erect three toll-gates in Taranaki county," and although the Press was not represented at that meeting they were notified that a meeting had been held and invited to make the business public. Following that resolution I proceeded to Wellington to interview the Minister. It is true I did not invite the assistance of Mr. S. G Smith, M.P., for he lias not been able' to see eye to eye with .us nn some important matters, the present included. I am not complaining of this, for he lias a perfect right to his opinions. I reserve the right, however,' to do what I think best in the interest nf those I represent, even if I have to do it alone. That toll-gates will hinder the development of New Plymouth, or that they will'be the means of diverting any great amount of business elsewhere, I can't conceive. There are none more optimistic as to the future of New Plymouth, and the important position she will hold on this eoast, than the members on this council, and I claim that our efforts to improve our roads is not ,only in our interests, but largely in the interests of New Plymouth*

The general manage!-, perhaps, may be excused for his action, it being part nf his duty to bring to the notice of the New Plymouth Borough Council the action we are taking, but the Borough Council themselves and the Press should take a broader view of the question, and v-iok at the matter from a Taranaki (including New Plymouth) point of view.

For years past it Ims been recognised that motor traffic should contribute something towards the maintenance and upkeep of roads. Six years ago tho Counties Conference unanimously supported motor taxation, and this was endorsed again by the conference last year, and that it should be in the form of a tyre tax. All are agreed on the point, even motorists themselves, but nothing is done by Parliament, and who can say but that it may be years hence before any revenue is' forthcoming .to local bodies from this source? In the meantime what are we to do? As a re•ult of our failure so far to collect any revenue from motors we have had to increase our general' rate to 3d in the £ capital value, with l-3d hospital rate extra. It was with the greatest'reluctance that we did this, but there was no option. Ratepayers are finding their rates practically a rent—nine and ten shillings an acre is quite common, and thirty shillings is not unknown—yet a section 61 the public think this is quite a fair thing, and are backed up by the Daily News. Unfortunately all our criticism is of a destructive character. If anyone can suggest any better method than our own proposals for meeting the acute position, until such time ais the Government can deal effectively with the question, we shall be glad to hear it. Certainly no good can result from quarrelling amongst ourselves. Rather should each local body be encouraged by all others to do its best for the advancement of the district, whether it be better roads, better streets and footpaths, or better harbour accommodation, so that we can the .sooner reap the benefits that such improvements will bring, and place New Plymouth in the position that she qught to hold.