MOTOR SPIRIT TAX

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 89, 11 July 1944, Page 5

MOTOR SPIRIT TAX

UNFAIR APPROPRIATION

PROTEST WARMLY SUPPORTED

"That this Council views with alarm the condition into which the Main Highways Boards finances are drifting and urges that all mottor spirit tax be applied toward roading costs; and that copies of this resolution be circulated to all County Councils and to local Members of Parliament." The above was the wording of a motion passed at the Matamata County Council and forwarded on to the Whakatane County Council for support. It was stated further, that at. the County Conference last year delegates were emphatic that 6d per gallon on motor spirits paid toward roading was far from sufficient. The total taxation is approximately 14}4d per gallon. The quantity of petrol on Avhich tax is paid ha,s been greatly reduced since the outbreak of Avar and the Main Highways Board has been forced to raise loans for maintenance of highways, condition of which is steadily deteriorating. Transfers of revenue from Consolidated Fund to Main Highways Account in 1939/40 were £2,999,810 and in 1943/44 £1,685,434. All County Councils are asked to support the Counties Association by supplying a letter of protest against the present unsatisfactory position. The Council decided to afford the above its* warmest support.