THE MOTOR TAX

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 3, 28 September 1921, Page 5

THE MOTOR TAX

/ , q t COMMITTEE MAY TAKE EVIDENCE OPINIONS OF THE MINISTER The provisions of the Motor Vehicles Bill, introduced in the House of Representatives'last week, include'an annual tax of on every motor-car, with varying rates for other classes of motor vehicles. -This tax is irrespective of weight and horse-power, and motor-car owners are suggesting that it will operate unfairly, since it places the small runabout’ on the same footing as tho powerful, heavy car, although the one is much less severe "on the roads than the other.

This point was mentioned yesterday to the Minister in charge of the Bill, the Hon. W. D. Stewart, who said that there was a difficulty about classifying ears. The Government was quite ready to. consider any more workable scheme, but it must raise money, since without money the construction of arterial roads on a national basis could not bo undertaken. The Bill must be passed before the Highways Bill was dealt with, and it had been introduced early in order that there might be time for the consideration of reasonable amendments. The Bill would not create an army of new officials, as had been suggested, since tho.. Government proposed to use the services of a Pepnrtment already„in existence. The Bill is to bu referred to a special committee of ,tho House, which wijl be able to take evidence. Motor-car owners have indicated already that they wish to bo heard. If the Government should decide to substitute a tyre tax or a petrol tax for tho car tax, an amendment of the Customs Act' would bo necessary. The matter could be taken in hand when the new tariff is under consideration.