THE MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1921, Page 5

THE MAIN HIGHWAYS.

COUNTIES OPPOSE CHANGE. SUBSIDY ON RATES SUGGESTED. TYRE TAX APPROVED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Counties Conference adopted the following report by the committee to whom the Highways Bill and cognate matters were referred: “That the New Zealand Counties Association feels it would be most prejudicial to local government in the Dominion for the State to take control of main roads; that this conference again approves of a tax being imposed on motor tyres as a contribution towards road maintenance; that this conference suggests that in lieu of the present system & subsidy of 10s in the £ on general rates in counties be granted, except upon such portion of general rates expended on hospital contribution (such a subsidy would produce approximately £400,000 per annum in addition to the amounts now paid); that the conference suggests that such subsidy be expended on the main traffic roads in each county, such roads to be defined by a board (or boards) for the North Island and for the South Island representative of the Government and county councils, and such expenditure to be approved by the said board. Note: The above subsidy will be in addition to any rates expended on these roads.” It was also decided to ask the Minister to furnish a return of the £230,000 spent on construction and the £50,000 spent on the maintenance of the main arterial roads, with a view to showing through what counties these roads ran, and what proportion was granted to those who put down tar-sealed roads.

A deputation representing the Good Roads Association attended the conference, and announced that they supported the Minister’s scheme, and considered it better than the counties’ idea of an increased subsidy. They also objected to tollgates, and to local bodies charging license fees on motors.

The chairman, in reply, said his association considered that more expeditious improvement would be effected by a local authority than by setting up a fresh set of machinery, and motorists would be infinitely better served by the conference’s proposals than by those of the Minister.