PERTOL TAX.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5199, 4 November 1927, Page 2

PERTOL TAX.

FAVOURABLE RECEPTION.

' OHINEMURI COUNTY’S ACTION

At yesterday’s meeting of the Oh nemuri County Council the levying of the petrol tax was discussed by the members. The, chairman (Mr H. M. Corbett) moved that the following telegram be sent to the Prime Minister :—

“The Ohinemuri County Council desires to congratulate you upon the int. eduction of petrol tax, and respectfully suggests that if any alteration is made the tax should be sixpence a gallon.” On the carrying of the resolution the chairman said it was desirable to show that the Ohinemuri County at least was in favour of the tax. It was expected that there would be opposit’on from certain quarters, namely the cities. It was a pity, in his opinion, that the tax had not been sixpence a gallon. He did not think it would greatly lessen the consumption of petrol, and if it was the means of eliminating what might be termed “joy-riding,” and reduce motor traffic generally, it would be a good measure. It was also very satisfactory to learn that a considerable portion of the money accruing from the tax was to be expended upon secondary highways. He hardly expected it to be fourpence a gallon, and thought sixpence a gallon would have been easier collected. -In any case, the measure could not be termed excessive.- Take, for instance, the PaeroaWaihi motor-bus service, which appeared to be a well-supported proposition. If that service was called upon to pay the petrol tax, in addition to other taxes, for the. length of main highway used it was not a great burden, while it would mean a tremendous help to the local bodies concerned. In the opinion of Cr. W. F. Johnstone the tax would not lessen motor travelling to any appreciable extent. The collection of about £700,000 a year would soon be forgotten, as it would become .a. custom. He was strongly in favour of the measure, especially when some of the money was to be used in improving and maintaining subsidiary roads. It was stated by Cr. C. E. Mace that he strongly favoured the adoption of the measure, which in his opinion was. courageous. If the Government had seen fit to levy a tax of one shilling a gallon on petrol he would havei just, as; readily endorsed its action.

The following telegraphed reply was received by the chairman from the Prime Minister this morning—- “ Thanks for telegram. The views of the lOhinemuri County Council with regard to the petrol tax have, been duly noted.”