TOLL-GATES CONDEMNED.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1921, Page 4

TOLL-GATES CONDEMNED.

That the committee appointed to investigate the question of toll-gates did its work with commendable intelligence and thoroughness is abundantly clear from the report presented to the House on Wednesday. The matter is one that chiefly concerns Taranaki, and it was here that the committee’s inquiries were centred. The first point to be noted is the statement in the report that local bodies are unanimous as to toll-gates being a retrograde step; hence it is not surprising that the committee’s first recommendation is “that in future no toll-gates be authorised.” It is rightly argued in the report that if the principle of toll-gates were carried to its logical conclusion, every county would be entitled to erect one or more, “thus creating a position which would be absolutely intolerable to the travelling public, and would result, in increased charges on all merchandise and commercial transactions, while a large portion of these increased charges would fall on the county ratepayers, and would also tend to stifle trade. This is exactly what we have always contended when commenting on the subject. Toll-gates at the best are a clumsy and expensive expedient, though they have taken a part in improving the roads. Thenabolition is long overdue, but the exigencies of finance have stood in the way. The committee appears to have devoted considerable pains over the financial aspect of the question, with the result that a scheme is propounded for a Government subsidy of five shillings in the pound on all rates collected, but only in proportion which the amount of the rate levied bears to the maximum levy permitted under the Act. Counties ..ith low rates will receive a less subsidy than those with high rates, the latter obtaining more subsidy than under the present system. The principle favored is evidently that of helping those most who help themselves as much as they can. It is suggested that the subsidies should be met by means of a twenty-per-cent, ad valorem duty on all rubber tyres. Whether such a means would effect the purpose is a matter for those concerned to study, but it is evident some such course must be adopted if toll-gates are abolished. The report is certainly on the rigtit lines, though some of the details may require alteration or modification.