MOTORISTS' VIEWS

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19147, 2 November 1927, Page 9

MOTORISTS' VIEWS

HIGHER RUNNING COSTS. EXEMPTIONS NOT FAVOURED. The opinion generally expressed i«t Christchurch by motorists ond other consumers of petrol for motive power is that the tax of 4d per gallon is too high. Most motorists, a representative of Thb Prisss ascertained yesterday, fully expected an increase in taxation l>y means of a petrol tax, but they calculated on 2d a gallon, and the announcement of a tax double that amount almost took their breath away. Exemptions wore criticised as unfair and likely to increase the cost of collecting the tax by an amount which would force the Government to wipe them out. One firm which imports large quantities of petrol advised yesterday that orders received during the day would be fulfilled .to-day at the usual prices.. No change might be made for two or three days. When the alteration was made it would be on instructions from Wellington, and would take effect immediately. The petrol companies did excellent business yesterday, many firms and motorists taking advantage of the present prices. No information has been received by the Vacuum Oil Company as to whether it will be liablo for the tax on the large quantity of petrol in tho tanks at Lyttelton, but this is unlikely.

Not a Surprise. Mr W, H. Nicholson, Mayor of Sumner, speaking as a motorist., said that the tax had not taken lurn. by surprise, and from the motorists' 'point of view extra taxation was expected. Over a year ago, when on a visit to Christchurch, Mr Coates had expressed the opinion, in his hearing, that a tax on petrol would be the most profitable, and was the form of taxation that he (Mr Coates) favoured. "There can be no question," he added, "that if the money is spent on the roads, as outlined, and the roads are improved, the tax will be justified in the interests of motorists whose costs of upkeep will be lessened. The apportionment of the money received from tlhe tax has been well thought out and will give relief to small municipalities; the relief to the farming community in the shape of lowered coats of the upkeep of country roads also will be appreciable. The. Government has dons well not to increase the direct taxation of motorists as injustice would have been done to the man who uses his car occasionally, and to the owners of light cars who would pay the same amount as the heavy limousine which does five times the damage to the) roads."

City Council Hard Hit. Cr. G. B. Hunter, acting chairman of the Works Committee of the' City Council, said that he did not think that the £BOOO or £9OOO that would "come to City Council under the Government's proposals would matter • very much when placed against the extra eoat of running the motor vehicles used by the Council. This extra cost was estimated to be between £4OO and £SOO. He anticipated, if the tax were imposed, it would ,put a lot of lorries off the road and would / be, therefore, in the interests of the railways. In the business that he was interested in it meant an addition to working costs of £6 or'"£7-per week, which he thought would be passed on | to the public.

Gountieg Will Benefit. Mr C. Flavell, chairman of the Heathcoto Oomrtty Cotmfeil, said that he had hot had an opportunity fully to consider the Government's proposals, but his impression was that counties undoubtedly would benefit from the proposals in -respect of secondary roads. There were several secondary roads iq the Heathcote, Waimairi, and other counties which were used to a considerable e*t6pt. He instanced the road round the foot of the hills which, on Sundays especially, carries considerable traffic. As- . sistance in respect of such roads would be welcomed by county councils. Highei Cost of Running BusesMr W. Bussell, proprietor of the Inter-City Bus Company, computed! . the additional cost in the running of his buses at £3 a week, while fares, he said, would remain at the present level. '' That coal merchants and earners were likely to pass on the added cost was the_ statement of the manager of one business. He said the ratepayers wouldj after all, have to carry the burden.

Tbxoepence Enougli? ' Mr B. Falck, president of the Canterbury Automobile Association, said that it was known tho Government' contemplated a tax. am] the matter had been' in tho hands of the Parliamentnry Committee of tho North and South Isliuul Motor Unions for some ~ time. Nothing higher than threepence a gallon had keen' anticipated, however. "The Government has had a big 1 ) problem," he said, "and it eeems as if it has made an honest attempt to do the sight thing." He had thought tliat, seeing that there was no duty on petrol, the Government would have discussed the matter first with motorists' organisation?. He was against the principle of exemptions, * and woulfi like to have more information as to what they would cost. After all. only a small proportion of petrolusers could claim oxemptiou. A large percentage of those entitled to exemption from the operation of a similar tax in Britain aid not bother about putting in , their application*. Fourpcr.co per gallon would bit the fishing people, who used a low-grade petrol. JTc was glad the Government intended doing something for the second-class roads. The City would probably get £BOOO or £IO,OOO, which might b» used for connecting up the main highway from north to south. H» believed this'should not be where tho tramlines ran, but that .was a matter for the town planning authorities. "Put Motors off the Road."

' The Government lias made 'ur> its mind to put motors off the road,' declared Mr W. Hay ward. manager of Rink Taxis, Ltd. "It is the most iniquitous thing the Government has

. "Where we paid £1 license for big cars." he aaid, "now wo pay £l2 and another 4d a gallon on petrol is the last straw. Thoso people earning their living by the use of petrol should bo exempt 'like the milking-plant owners. The motorists in New Zealand should rise at the next election and put this Government off the benches. Tho taxi prices should go up, but thoy can't because the City by-laws fix the rat®."-