MOTOR TAXATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 10 July 1928, Page 17

MOTOR TAXATION.

SOME HARSH ASPECTS. PROTEST AGAINST AMOUNT. A strong protest against the amount of taxation motorists are called upon to pay was made by Mr. L. A. Edwards at the recent meeting of the executive of the North Island Motor Union, in Wellington. Mr. Edwards said: — "Motorists are justly incensed against existing motor taxation for the following reasons:—(l) The amount of taxation imposed is, apparently, based upon the principle of exacting a3 much as a motorist can l>e made to pay, and not in accordance with the principle that he should contribute the amount he is justly entitled to pay. (2) The amount of equitable taxation can only be determined as the result of the closest economic investigation by a competent body. (3) The motorists consider the Government has failed in its duty by not establishing such a body and submitting for investigation facts and figures in support of the taxation exacted. (4) That road construction has been mainly experimental, and the motorists have been forced to pay unduly for such experiments. (5) That the motorist views as unjust the proportion he is required to pay for road construction and maintenance, as such taxation takes insufficient account of the economic, benefits motor transport confers upon the community at large. (6) That the Customs duties levied are upon a noneconomic basis, as they have retarded, instead of encouraged, the use of British vehicles and tyres. " The following is an example of the taxation paid upon a motor car, the current domestic value of which is £200. The life of the car is taken at seven years, and the annual mileage 10,000 miles:—Duty, £19 4/; petrol, 10.000 miles at 20 m.p.g., 500 gallons at 4d, £8 6/8; tyres, four, duty 10 per cent, plus trade profit, £1 12/fi; driver's license, f>/; motor vehicles license, £2: registration, 3/; tax per annum, £31 11/2.