H.—4o

to note that the amount spent on roads from motor-taxation in the year under review is almost double that which was spent in 1933-34, and that whereas in 1930-31 the amount expended on roads from local rates exceeded that from motor-taxation by £1,200,000, the amount spent from motortaxation in 1936-37 exceeds the amount spent from local rates by £110,000. Details of the increase in motor-taxation generally are shown in the Appendix to this report. General. The following table indicates the approximate percentages of the various sources of revenue comprised in the total expenditure on roads during the four years ended 3lst March, 1937 : —

(ii) ANNUAL CHARGES PER MILE ON ROADS, STREETS, ETC., 1934-37. The following table shows the annual expenditure for the four years ended 31st March, 1937, on the various classes of roads, &c., computed per mile of road and/or street: —

Tables Nos. 5 and 6 of the Appendix shows the lengths of various classes of roads, streets, and bridges during the years from 1922 to 1937 inclusive. (iii) MOTOR-TAXATION. Table No. 7 shows an analysis of the revenue received from the various taxes and fees levied in connection with motor-vehicles, together with comparative figures for the previous twelve years. The total amount for 1936-37 was £5,887,206, the highest figure yet recorded. There has been an increase in every class of revenue except for Customs duties in respect of vehicles and parts. This last item has decreased by £33,722, no doubt due to the increase in the number of vehicles assembled in New Zealand. Motor-spirits tax has increased by £438,431, tire-tax by £21,633, fees and fines under the Motor-vehicles Act, 1924, by £69,412, and other fees and taxes have been estimated to increase by £41,032. Table No. 8 sets out the full details of the collection and distribution of these taxes for 1937-38. Approximately 54 per cent, of the net total is set aside for roading purposes, while of the balance, £2,696,632, credited to the Consolidated Fund, all but £3,894 is collected as Customs duty on imports.

15

Item. 1933-34. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Loan .. .. .. .. .. 9-8 10-8 14-0 22-5 Local rates .. .. .. .. 32-9 30-2 30-3 27-7 Unemployment taxation .. .. .. 21-3 19-1 j 12-5 7-7 General taxation .. .. .. 16-0 14-8 j 14-5 13-2 Motor-taxation .. .. .. •• 20-0 25 - J 28-7 28-9 Total .. .. .. .. 100-0 100-0 100-0 100-0

Annua] Charges per Mile of Road. . T . , Year ended Length of ■ —; Class of Road. 31st March, Formed Roads. , , , , Maintenance- TeU. I Miles. £ £ £ Main highways .. .. 1934 10,975 87 58 145 1935 11,176 134 55 189 1936 11,649 140 52 192 1937 11,684 113 52 165 Urban roads and streets .. 1934 4,086 97 143 240 1935 4,035 97 137 234 1936 4,059 100 143 243 1937 4.177 102 137 239 Other roads .. 1934 36,010 20 32 ! 52 1935 36,947 26 31 j 57 1936 36,350 30 31 j 61 1937 36,467 28 29 | 57 Total, all roads .. 1934 51,071 41 46 87 1935 52,158 55 44 99 1936 52,058 60 44 104 1937 52,328 53 43 96