USE OF PETROL TAX

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 92, 15 October 1932, Page 15

USE OF PETROL TAX

FARMERS' PROTEST

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.")

PALMEBSTON.N., This Day.

That there-was little, if any, chance of the Government authorising a 12$ per cent, rebate on rural rates this year was made fairly evident in a circular letter from tho headquarters of the Farmers' Union read at. yesterday's moeting of tho Wellington Provincial Executive of tho union held at Feilding. This set out the extent to which tho Gpvernment had used tho petrol tax. funds to assist tho Consolidated Fund.

If tlio rebate was necessary last year it was infinitely more necessary this year, remarked Mr. G. L. Marshall, who mentioned the low pricos for wool and those likely to,jfevail for lamb. Sheepowners were ro*lly. worse off this'year than last yoar. Obviously the Government was taking the line of least resistance in raiding tho funds of the Main Highways Board. ■The chairman (Mr. L. Hammond) stated that the question was bound to! be brought up at the next Dominion Executive meeting, but the ' farniefs would be faced with the question, "Where is the money to. come from?" Mr. Marshall was of tho opinion that the money should be used to relieve the rural ratepayer, and said that the union should make an emphatic protest against it being,used' for general purposes. The . Government could get th'o monoy, easy enough by going to the banks. . ,

The suggestion, was offered that tho petrol tax should be increased, but members were not inclined to support this view.

. : Mr. D. Scott -felt that if tho petrol tax was increased, it would only provido easy money for. the Government. If the union supported a higher petrol tax aud.the Government stepped in and used the money for purposes other than, those for which it %vas raised, the farmers should protest. He moved that the union protest against the Government using money, raised through the petrol, tax for purposes other than thoso for which it was raised*

Mr. Jj. McLean seconded the motion, which was carried. .