OVER MILLION POUNDS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 237, 27 May 1932, Page 2

OVER MILLION POUNDS

This short article sets out briefly the contributions which have been made from petrol taxation toward the relief of the Government and local bodies. There is so much misconception regarding the distribution of motor taxation that these figures ar published in order that motor vehicle owners wheth'er resident in town or country may have some idea of the very great assistance which they ha-ve been to the country in its time of need. The representatives of the motor associations have recently agreed to make still further sacrifices, but have requested the Government to leave in the highways funds for the present year sufficient money to adequately maintain the existing roads, to provide for urgent bridge renewals and a reserve for emergencies. Assistance to Government. These figures indicate how motor taxation has been applied in relief of former Government liabilities or in providing funds to assist the budgetary position. These amounts originally paid from (A) The Public Works Fund, and (B) The Consolidated Fund, are now shouldered by the Main Highways Fund. (B) Consolidated Fund — Former annual free grant, discontinued £200,000 (B) Consolidated Fun — (1) Former annual grant, discontinued 35,000 (2) Interest on free grants made in past years 61,000 (3) Subsidy on County Rates. Note: For 50 years past this charge has been recognised and paid by the Consolidated Fund 220,000 (4) Surtax on petrol S0,000 (5) Extra petrol duty (2d a gallon imposed last year) — half year return only — full year estimated to yield £400,000 .... 220,000 Total £816,000 Assistance to Local Bodies. In addition to the £220,000 subsidy on roads mentioned in ths above column, during the last financial year ending Mareh 31, 1932, local bodies and the farming community received from motorists' taxation over £500,000 of relief they never had before. The particulars are. — Direct from Highway Fund — Increase of Highway Board's maintenance subsidy from £2 to £1 to £3 for £1 and declaration of new highways £100,000 For relief of county rates .... 252,000 For backblocks roads 50,000 From 2d per gallon Petrol Tax (Imposed by Parliament in 1931) For ferjuliser subsidy 100,000 For hospital grants 75,000 Total £577,000 Heavy traffic fees collected and paid to local authorities totalled an additional £290,000.