PETROL TAX.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19164, 22 November 1927, Page 14

PETROL TAX.

RICCARTON COUNCIL'S PROTEST. "With reference to the new petrol tax, the Finance Committee of the Eiccarton Borough Council embodied the following recommendation in its report to the Borough Council last night: "That the Council protests against the attitude of the Government towards the allocation of petrol tax revenue between the North and bouth Islands, and the transfer of £350,000 from the South Island revenue fund to the construction fund, and resolves to circularise all members of Parliament and local bodies,"asking their support and to forward a remit along the same lines to the forthcoming Municipal Conference.''

A footnote to the recommendation states: "An amount of £350,000 was last year transferred from the South Island tyre tax revenue fund to the construction fund for expenditure in the North Island. This amount has not been refunded, and despite the assurances of the Government that this will be done, graje doubts are being entertained by Sojith Island people as to whether it will eventuate. Further, the Government seems to be adverse to making any pronouncement as to its intentions with regard to the allocation of the petrol tax revenue between the North and South Islands, and the opinion is .being formed that it is not intended to distribute the tax in the proportions of usage." The recommendation was adopted. "I hope the matter will be given the publicity it deserves," said , the Mayor (Mr H. Manhire). City Council Take No Action. The petrol tax was the subject of a letter received at last night's meeting of the City Council from the Town Clerk, Wanganui. The following resolution was forwarded: "That this Council protest to the Government that the amount of the proposed petrol tax, 4d per gallon, is excessive. That the tax should be reduced by one half, and that no exemptions should be granted. Further, that all cities and boroughs within the Dominion bo circularised and asked to support the Council's resolution."

The letter stated that the Wanganui Borough Council, while it greatly appreciated the efforts of the Government in its endeavour to provide the funds necessary to carry out the policy of constructing good motor roads throughout the Dominion, considered that the proposed tax of 4d per gallon in addition to the present motor registration fee and tyre tax, was too heavy a burden on .the community, and therefore suggested that all cities and boroughs should support a movement to urge that the amount of the proposed tax be reduced and would be glad if the Christchurch City Council would favourably consider giving support to its resolution. The Mayor moved that the letter be received. Cr. J. "W. Beanlaud said that the Government had gone too far, and that a twopenny tax would be sufficient. He moved as an amendment that the resolution be endorsed. The Mayor said that if the tax remained the Council would get a bigger share of it. The motion was carried.