HIGHER PETROL PRICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 603, 4 March 1929, Page 9

HIGHER PETROL PRICE

BITTER PLAINT IN BRITAIN GOVERNMENT BLAMED (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) LONDON, Saturday. The increase of 2£d a gallon in the price of petrol has caused British motorists again to make a strong protest against their apparently unending financial burdens. In analysing the increase the “Daily Express” stresses the fact that it means an addition of £8,000,000 to the coffers of the oil companies, which only this week succeeded in bringing the Russian oil products into the combine, and by so doing, eliminating underselling. The newspaper says that of the £8,000,000 about £2,000,000 will go to the Anglo-. Persian Oil Company, which is controlled by the British Government. “The British Government,” it says, “will therefore extract an extra profit from the British motorist, from whom it already is obtaiinng £25,000,000 a year in the horse-power tax, and £17,000,000 in the petrol tax. Thus the taxation on motorists is no less than £58,000,000. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Winston Churchill, has stated he hoped to further increase the petrol tax, and to make a compensating reduction in the horse-power tax. An increased petrol tax is now unthinkable, so presumably the horsepower tax, which has nearly killed British car exports, must remain.” Many authorities say the absurd horse-power taxation has ruined the English cars’ chances in Australia. A deputation from 22 motoring organisations will see Mr. Winston Churchill next week, to urge a reduction in taxation.