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Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1930, Page 4

There are reports that the petrol tax will be increased i almost immediately as one of the principal means of raising additional revenue. In this connection it was interesting to note that., the Counties’ Conference last week, by, a fairly substantia] majority, agreed to an increase of threepence per.gallon, provided, the sum raised was devoted tb roads rjMier than declared main, highways. It was indicated ■ during the discussion that more than half of tlie registered motor vehicles were rural owned, and that, the bulk of tlie proportion were in possession of Hhe. farmers, who • are regardedas country ratepayers. It does not necessarily follow that the section referred to would burn un half the petrol consumed, but, it is interesting to know that •..'thfl’i three-pence is expected to produce; an ■ additional six hundred ( thousand pounds. Nor does it follow that the. Government being, in search pf more revenue would readily, hand the amount, over to the lopal bodies. - However;, it is expected that the decision of Counties’ Conference will he something of a guide to the Government,'. and the belief is, current that, the addi-i .tion.nl tax- will range Up to fouivj pence per gallon.. This will give an. estimated increase of £BOO,OOO of in-t come,'and would a,void the. necessity, .of raising an additional million for publio works, assuming the money is. ear--marked for roads and .bridges. It' ja| the strong opinion of some of the Min* IstCrS that more should be done- for the bnekhlocks, and it was the understanding at the,outset that;a proportion of the revenue from the petrol tax should be available for all reading; If the increase comes about as appears likely, the boroughs must have some equitable claim also. In the consumption of petrol, a great deal is caused * in the centres where motor traction is so great, and some portion of the' revenue accruing should be due in: fairness to the -municipalities also. ;'The Government, however, will be at; tip loss as to a means of disposing of tlio amount. There will be some- protest’ from motorists. Indeed they are being heard already, but the principal of the user paying for the 1 roads is - now well established, and for-a long period the motorist was free of special taxation for reading, so that the hardship is more apparent than re ah Revenue is necessary to provide more money for the roads, and the increase of the petrol tax i;s the readiest-and most equitable way of meeting the situation. '