PETROL TAX

Hokitika Guardian, 9 September 1926, Page 4

PETROL TAX

MOTORISTS’ DEPUTATION TO AI.mSTHR.

WELLINGTON. September 7

A deputation. of master carriers and wholesale and retail motor traders, representative nf the Dominion, waited on lho Hon. .Mr Williams, Minister for Public Works, to-day. and urged the adoption of the petrol tax, in lieu of the existing methods of motor taxation.

Mr li. L, Hammond, who acted as spokesman, said that the Government had adopted a loading policy involving a proposal to make-motorists pay a fair contribution towards the development of good roads. " The interests represented by this deputation are naturally anxious to see good roads constructed and maintained, and are not in the least averse to contributing a fair quota towards the cost." he said. “ They art*concerned, however, with the method of exacting that quota, and the actual amount they are required to pay. Admitting the primary object- of the tax to he. that of securing the necessary revenue to const met and maintain good roads, the principle of application should necessarily be that of requiring all users of the roads in question to pay in true proportion to tlie use they make. All motor vehicles are required to lie registered and all owners are required to pay registration fees under the Motor Vehicles Act. .Vs this method exacts taxation ironi all owners, and registration fees are based on a sliding scale according to the class ot vehicle owned, we have no fault to find with this method of taxation, although wo do think that the fees should lit* nominal and sufficient merely to cover the cost of administration only." IMiIXCIPI.ES OF INDIRECT TAXATION.

The deputation desired to protest against He present heavy traffic fees on the grounds that the principle ”1 indirect taxation was wrong. One section only of the community win being unduly penalised and other sections equally responsible- were being correspondingly relieved of taxation, which they should rightly lie called upon to hear, and Ices levied were in any ease excessive. The deputation asked the Government to abolish, heavy traffic regulations, in so far as they relate to petrol-driven vehicles, and also to abolish the tyre iax and in substitution ot the same to inaugurate a petrol tax. run exceeding 3d per gallon. The deputation was of the opinion that the whole question of motor taxation and transport- generally should he enquired into by a Special Commission appointed for that nurcp.se. with a view to having the matter considered from all points of view. X 0 INCREASE IX FEES.

Mr Flammond said that since it Had been decided to make representations on the matter of the petrol tax, a rumour had been circulated to the effect Unit the Government contemplated increasing the existing heavy traffic fees.

and Ihe deputation would like to know whether such rumour had any foundation ip I’a.i-t.

The Minister, in renlv. said that so far as the question of increasing the existing heavy traffic fees was concerned, lie was not aware of any intention on the part of Cm Government to do so. He had not heard of such a

Mr Hammond : Thank you, that'allays quite a lot of anxiety on tin: part of master carriers.

The Minister said that he considered that the whole question of motor taxation required careful and thorough consideration because there wore varied interests and conditions which differed so much. Hr was nor in a position to reply to the deputation beyond saying that he would consider the representations made and discuss the matter with his colleagues.