A PETROL TAX.

Shannon News, 8 January 1924, Page 3

A PETROL TAX.

FORESHADOWED BY MINISTER TO PAY FOR GOOD ROADS.

AUCKLAND, January 7

The lion. J. G. Coates, speaking a,t Kaeo, said the object of the Motor Vehicles Bill principally was to provide £IOO,OOO. to £120,000 annually lor the maintenance ' of roads under the Highways Act. He intended to call a conference of urban and rural local bodies and motoring interests to see if they could not agree on proper traffic control. If they approached an agreement, Parliament, gvhich had the final word, would probably forward the . measure. In regard to raising money for maintenance (he hoped all interests would accept Ithear share of responsibility. The principle of taxation involved in the Bill was that those who used them should pay for the maintenance of the roads. The Bill would probably provide for a flat tax per motor vehicle, but that was not the.. best_application of the principle. If possible he hoped the user would be made to pay through a petrol tax, which was the fairest way in his opinion. Plenty of ways could be found for the exemption ol' petrol used for launches and machinery, especially farm machinery. Mr Coates made a special appeal to farmers not to raise a howl at the mention of a petrol tax. Exemptions could be provided for petrol used for milking machines and other ' farm work.