The Daily News TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1921. ROADS AND MOTOR TAX.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1921, Page 4

The Daily News TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1921. ROADS AND MOTOR TAX.

The discussion which took place in the House on Friday on the second reading of the Motor Vehicles Bill clearly indicates that both that measure and the Arterial Roads Bill will have a thorny passage to negotiate. It seems difficult, if not impossible to separate the two measures, and unless the main principles of each are accepted by the majority of the members it is improbable that either will become lew. This phase of the matter was probably in Mr. Massey’s mind when he stated that the Motor Vehicles Bill had been introduced for the purpose of ventilating the whole question, and that members were simply asked to assist the Government, through the Bill, to find a solution of the problem. The two dominating motives connected with these Bills Are improving the main arterial thoroughfares and providing the funds for that purpose. Apparently no project could be more simple, yet there exist diametrically opposite views in regard to both the objects in question. With regard to the arterial roads, expression has been given to views that seem to indicate the existence of jealousy on the part of a number of local bodies at any interference with the present system under which they have the sole control of all roads. They claim that they are in a position to carry out this work better and more economically than can the Government, and all they want is to be furnished with sufficient, funds for the purpose, while Sir John Luke claims that better results would be obtained by extending the powers of local gov, eminent authorities than by the Government’s new proposals. That, of course, is open to argument. It has to be Remembered, however, that the only highways which the Government propose to take under their wing are the main arterial roads, which are regarded as national, rather than local undertakings. It is quite conceivable that those local bodies through whose territory no arterial road passes, or who have spent considerable sums of money in constructing and maintaining tar-sealed roads that form part of any main arterial road, strongly resent their good work being taken over by the Government without compensation for past expenditure, while they will have the mortification of contributing to the cost of making good roads in some other - district. The same argument, however, may be used in connection with the present system, whereby the good permanent roads constructed and maintained at great expense by progressive local bodies are used by people generally who have not contributed to the cost and are possibly enjoying light rates owing to the roads in their own locality receiving but scant attention. There is much force in the contention that arterial roads stand in a category by themselves as a matter of national concern. It is distinctly unfortunate, therefore, that the spirit of parochialism should be imported into the problem which the Government and the country alike desire should be solved. Needless to say, no practical solution can be reached if members of Parliament adopt an attitude of resentment and hostility at what they consider to be an attempt on the part of the Government to assume functions Which properly belong to local authorities. Such a policy ignores the main essential of the Government’s proposals—concentration on the arterial roads as a matter of national concern. With regard to the taxation of motor

vehicles there is room for differences of opinion as to which will be the fairest, most just and effective method. According to the Hon. W. D. Stewart, ear owners prefer a tyre tax to any other method, while garage proprietors object to that tax and support the Government’s proposals, which, in turn, fail to satisfy local bodies. The Leader of the Opposition considers the best system of levy should be based on the use to which the vehicle is put, with a differentiation between solid and pneumatic tyres. Mr. Coates advocates a straight-out flat tax, and doubtless other members have views of their own on the matter, particularly as to speed power. Manifestly some satisfactory method must be fixed, for no matter what happens to the Bill in question the subject of motor taxation and the maintenance of national highways will have to be settled this session, or. local rates must mount still higher. The Government has asked members for their assistance, and this should be given whole-heartedly and in a national spirit.