TYRE TAX RETURNS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40025, 19 November 1929, Page 2

TYRE TAX RETURNS.

The improvement of the highway system of New Zealand is a matter (to which attention is drawn in the animal report of the Main Highways Board.

In 1925-26, when there were 136,715 motor-vehicles using the roads oi' the Dominion, the return from tyre tax was £223,699, being approximately £27,000 more than the return from tyre tax in 1928-29, when there were 56,000 more mo-tor-vehicles on the roads. ‘ While there has been a 40 per cent, increase in the number of mo tor-ve-hicles, there has been a 12 per cent, reduction in the return from tyretax. If the average amount collected per annum during the four years prior to 1928-29 is taken, it is found to' be greater than the amount collected during 1928-29. Although during this period there has been a reduction in the price of tyres, which would have the effect of reducing the amount of Customs duty, the figures afford striking evidence of the improvement in the highway system. No doubt there has been an improvement in the design of tyres, but the /better standard of road surface brought about by the expenditure of special motor' taxation must be recognised as the outstanding reason, states the report.