Farmers Reject Proposal To Increase Petrol Tax

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28257, 20 April 1957, Page 2

Farmers Reject Proposal To Increase Petrol Tax

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 19 The Auckland provincial executive of Federated Farmers has rejected a suggested remit from its transport committee advocating an increase in the petrol tax and the use of the extra money collected as an increased subsidy from the National Roads Board for the development and maintenance of back-country roads. Although members of the transport committee emphasised that the remit had been introduced only gs a subject for discussion, several speakers were outspoken in their condemnation of it, and described it as ‘‘extremely dangerous.” Reference was made to the proposed Id a gallon tax for the Auckland motorways plan and to the adverse reaction of farmers and others in the Waitemata county. Mr A. R. Cates said he was certain that the proposed Auckland tax would spread throughout New Zealand. Christchurch was now thinking about it, and there had been suggestions that it be made national.

Mr H. G. Phillips said the Auckland City Council and other metropolitan local bodies were seeking legislation which woula force the users of the new roads to pay for them and exempt the

ratepayers. “If the Auckland City Council can get this exemption,” he said, “surely local bodies iri country areas can get the same.”

Other speakers ,felt that the executive would be erring in taking the matter any further without first giving farmers a chance .to express their views.