HIGHER TAX ON PETROL

Press, Volume C, Issue 29500, 29 April 1961, Page 10

HIGHER TAX ON PETROL

Plan Provokes Sharp Reply IX2. Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 28. As far as commercial users were Concerned the only answer to two proposals made by the Waitemata County Council increased petrol taxation and reduced standards of highway construction—was a definite “No,” the president of the Industrial Transport Association (Mr D. E. Jackson) said in Wellington today. He was commenting on a report from Auckland that the Waitemata council had decided to ask the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake), to increase petrol taxation by 3d a gallon.

“The Waitemata County Council should know very well that the present position of sharing reading costs between ratepayers and roadusers is an equitable one.” said Mr Jackson. “It has been formulated by the best authorities and the I.T.A. is surprised that a responsible local authority does not appreciate and uphold this position. “The - main immediate needs in reading taxation and finance are the removal of the present 2d a gallon on petrol for general revenue purposes, relief from sales tax, and an upward adjustment of the Government contribution towards reading costs. This Contribution has fallen behind that of both local authorities and road users.” The National Roads Board at present got Is 3?d a gallon, not Is as stated, and petrol tax produces only a little over half the board’s revenue. Mr Jackson said. In addition to petrol tax, registration fees, heavy traffic fees, mileage tax and interest all helped to make up the board’s funds.