The Taxation of Kerosene Oil

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 139, 13 May 1893, Page 4

The Taxation of Kerosene Oil

— ♦ " Philogynist " writes as follows to an Auckland paper : — Sir,— l am glad to see you recommend the Colonial Treasurer to reduce taxation with his surplus Might I suggest that few things require cheapening so much as kerosene oil. Every case of kerosene pays 48 duty, and is probably 5s dearer on that account than it need be. If the Government; is as anxious as they assert to improve the position of women in the colony, there is no way more ready to their hand than to abolish this wicked import duty altogether; for of all the hardships that women have to suffer there art few more wearying than stooping over an obstinate wood fire for cooking. Freight and miners' unions keep coal at a prohibitive price in most places ; but if kerosene oil were made as cheap as it could, and in justice to women I think it ought, the most laborious task that now falls to women's lot would be rendered comparatively light, for cooking with a good kero sene stove is clean, convenient, and effectual. If kerosene were not anificiplly doubled in price it would also be the most economical way of preparing food. It is all very well to say that men ought to keep women well supplied with wool ; the fact is, they don't, and, as a rule, they never will, and with all the matters connected with a farm to look after, they often cannot, even when well meaning. . . .