REDUCTION IN PETROL TAX

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22435, 23 June 1938, Page 4

REDUCTION IN PETROL TAX

NO REPLY RECEIVED FROM MINISTER MEETING OF AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION No advice has yet been received from the Minister for Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) about the possibility of a reduction in petrol taxation, according to a letter from the South Island Motor Union read at the monthly meeting of the Greymouth branch of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) on Tuesday evening. Mr G. R. Barker presided. The union, said the secretary (Mr W. F. Harley), had suggested the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers as sites for motor camps and it was considered that these should be built by the Govefhment and a caretaker appointed. It was also suggested that another camp be built at Brighton, on the coaital road.

Cars had been held up in Evans creek. South Westland, said Mr Harley, but he understood that the bridge Would be ready for traffic in a few days.

The danger of a sharp turn on to the Arnold bridge, at Stillwater, was most acute,-said Mr Harley, and it was intensified by the prevalence of fog in that part of the district. Recently two cars Were involved in an accident there, A guide-rail was required. It was decided to make representations about the matter to the Public Works Department. It was decided to thank the Automobile Association (Canterbury) for the improvement made by the erection of many signs in South Westland. The advisability of rounding off bad corners hear Totara Flat will be referred to the Public Works Department, and the Railway Department will be notified Of the danger created from the railway being much higher than the roadway at Nelson street, Greymouth. Strong disapproval was expressed by Mr P. C. Heaphy of a proposal by the South Island Motor Union that in future all drivers’ licences be issued through the Post Office. It was decided to advise the Automobile Association (Canterbury) that the Greymouth branch strongly desired that the renewal of such licences should be carried out by local bodies as at present. The remetalling of the Otira Gorge road Is now in hand, according to advice received from the Public Works Department and it was hoped to have the surface in fair order by the end of this month. The section of road from Dillman’s to Harris Point would be attended to at an early date. It would not be long before the overbridge at Kahinui would be completed.