MOTORISTS WANT PETROL TAX REDUCED

Chronicle (Levin), 16 August 1947, Page 5

MOTORISTS WANT PETROL TAX REDUCED

Press Association)

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ROTORUA, August 1,5. A substantial rednction in the taxu .ion on petrol amounting to 8d p,er gallon, is being sought by the Nortli Lsland Motor Union and tlie text of a resolution passed at the general con ference in Rotorua today, has been dispatched to the Prime Minister an-1 Minister of FiAance. The Governments of South Africa and Australia have . already substantiaJly reduee.d taxation, it was stated, and it was hoped thai Ihe Government vyould revoke the -1J per gallon tax imposed as a speciai wartime measure and tliat a further : tax of 4d per gallon impos.ed 16 years ago should also be removed ,or alloeated to the main highways account^ to be used for the benelit of m.otorists by improving roads in New Zealand. It was also resolved that further relief be giv.en to the board in regard to heavy interest charges failing on its account by reason of excessive borrowjng whi.c-h followed the diversion oi motor taxation to tlie eonnsolidat,e-l i'und. The present high petrol tax was not only unfair to motorists but also resulted in a higher petrol price in New Zealand than in any other country. In ilouth Africa, the resolution stated, Ihe petrol tax had been' reduced from 11Ad to 8d per gallon while Australin had made a reduetion of ld per gallon. It was resolved tliat the Alinisters should be approaehed by a union depu tation a.,t an early date.