PETROL SALES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1933, Page 6

PETROL SALES

BIG' IIEDITCnOX OWING TO TAN

(Per Press Association — Uopyriglit.)

AUCKLAND, February 10

A statement that, since Monday, petrol sales at service stations had dropped by fifty.per cent, in the caso of private calls, and '25 per cent;;: in the cate of .commercial . qirs, wak made at a meeting, of the Automobile Association. It was also stated that' four million gallons of power kerosene were entering the country and paying no tax. . ...

The Chairman said that he was informed that there was a possibility of a reduction in the tax.being conceded. It was just a question, of whether they • should trust to that' chance, or light for the removal of ithe whole live pence. In discussion the opinion, was expressed that if the* 20 per cent, drop in consumption estimated by the Finance Minister took place, then it here would‘he a corresponding decrease* in customs revenue on motor vehicles, oils, tyres, etc., and the upshot would be that the revenue would be increased very little. It was decided to ask petrol dealers to post m the actual price of petrol and also the tax on it.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. WELLINGTON, February 16. A deputation of Cook Strait fishermen with whom were associated sixteen members of Parliament, representing all sections of the House, waited on the Finance Minister, '.urging that petrol used for fishing launches should be exempt from the additional petrol tax. Mr Ooatf.s said that the matter would be further considered to-day, and lie hoped to announce the Governments .decision in regard to this question and others