PETROL AND KEROSENE TAXES.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2558, 4 September 1915, Page 3

PETROL AND KEROSENE TAXES.

Sir, —I am. sorry to see the .Government have scon fit to propose.to put,a heavy war tax' on motor spirits and kerosene. This will mean' a' great hard- - ship to the struggling settler, who has perhaps bought' a cheap car. to' enable him to go to town (a distance of about 25 miles), and sell his eggs and butter, and give his wife an occasional glimpse of flic outside world, perhaps once a fortnight. Kerosene arid benzine are used by many of the small farmers to drivo their engines, for milking and shearing, and some say. they, will give up

, milking as they' will not be. able to afj ford it.: Others say they will, either I sell'their cars or shut tliem up,'which meaiw the -unfoftunate: woman has ' to , suffer, as they cannot get about like their happily-situated towii .sisters.' I suppose we will ,:have to 'go back to, tallow/candles instead of kerosene lamps, i and'riiin out eyesight in .trying to'read, i and sow. Surely , the Government can ■ tax '.something, else, , and hot take the little pleasurd wo poor back-blockers have in .having a 'good light and an' occasional trip:iii.our:motor..' A..car is "a necessity and not a luxury in the coun- : try, where' there are , no. trains, and as in case of sickness it costs £6 6s. for a dobtor, to visit us; and'a small fee if we can get to. town. -Hoping the Government -will/.reconsider, their, tax, which would make country; life unbearable.— I am, etc.; ' •• ■ A WOMAN. IN THE BAOK-BLOOKS,