BACKBLOCKS ROADS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 196, 20 August 1930, Page 11

BACKBLOCKS ROADS.

LOSS OF PETROL TAX

ALLOCATION,

BLAME ON REFORM PARTY.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

That the backblock farmers of New Zealand were losing £240,000 per annum as the result of the action of the Reform party in opposing the 3d addition to the petrol tax was argued by Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo) in the House to-night.

Ho said that the 3d tax would have produced approximately £720,000, and as the oil companies had carried Id of it, tho taxation was reduced to £480,000. Some 00 per cent of the vehicles were in tho main pleasure cars, and should bo fairly taxed. The working farmer did not motor for pleasure, therefore motorists, other than working farmers, contributed 60 per cent of tho tax, or £288,000. If it were accepted that half of the remaining 40 per cent were paid by tho working farmers, and the other half by townspeople, tho farmers' contribution would amount to £90,000, on tho basis of the 3d tax. Working farmers for that contribution of £90,000 would have received in return £350,000 for expenditure on backblock roads. In addition, tho backblock farmer was getting £50,000 annually, which had been added to tho access to outlying districts fund. Under the present arrangement he would pay the £90,000 and get in return only £110,000, a clear loss of £240,000.

"'The outback farmer lias just cause to be incensed at the Reform party," added Mr. Broadfoot.