PETROL TAX

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1933, Page 5

PETROL TAX

PENNY REDUCTION

MR COATES’ ANNOUNCEMENT.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, February 25,

After a lengthy sitting- in the House of Representatives, the Customs Acts Amendment Bill was passed eanly this morning, and the House rose at 6.30 until Tuesday. An important announcement was made by Mr Coates when replying to the second reading debate tuat the Government would reduce the petrol tax by one penny, while negotiations were being conducted with petrol companies with the object of inducing them to carry one penny of the tax. Mr Coates admitted that there was reason for some concern as to the effect of. the high* tax on the consumption of petrol. “We have been in negotiation with the companies,” he said. “Pretty hard tilings have been said about the companies, but, to be quite frank, I am not in ihe position—and that aftei careful inquiry—to say they are making high profits.” He said that if negotiations were successful, the actual effect on motorists would he a reduction. of the increase by one penny a gallon. Tlie Bill was read a sooond (time at 4 a.m. by 37 votes to 20.

CUSTOMS AMENDMENT BILL

REFUND OF DUTjY ON PETROL

WELLINGTON, February 25. The Legislative Council yesterday passed the Sales Tax Bill. Im the House of Representatives, the Mortgagors and Tenants Re.lief Amendment Bill was introduced by GovernorGeneral’s message. The Bill confers on mortgagors the right to apply for relief (where mortgagees .have failed to exercise their accrued right of sale Tor thre e months. Mortgagors are debarred from contracting themselves out of the benefits provided by the principal act. Lessors are not to be entitled t 0 obtain or execute judgment for rent while applications for relief of lessees are pending.

The Bill was put through all stages and passed. ■Resolutions providing for a new definition of gold for export, so 'that old gold and jewellery might be brought under the operations of the gold export duty, were agreed to in the Committee of Ways and Means, and deferred to the Committee on.the Customs Amendment Bill which was then introduced by Goviennor-General’s message.

Moving the second reading, Mr C°ate s said that the Bill, would give effect to resolutions passed 011 February 8. provision had been mafic for the refund of duty to fishermen in respect of petrol used in their vessels. As the Government did not desire to retard progress in aviation in the Dominion, the duty on special petrol used for aircraft would lb e refunded. Urgency was accorded the passage of, the Bill.