“No Definite Proposals ” For Rise In Petrol Tax

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28551, 2 April 1958, Page 7

“No Definite Proposals ” For Rise In Petrol Tax

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 1. No definite proposals for an increase in the petrol tax for reading improvement have been prepared for consideration by the Government. The Minister of Works and chairman of the National Roads Board (Mr Watt) said this tonight. He had made no suggestion that the petrol tax be increased nationally, and no proposals to increase the tax had been formulated for presentation to the Government, Mr Watt said. He had, however, been asked to consider increasing the tax, and he felt these views should be placed before his colleagues. “I have not said that I have adopted these views, and I would like it to be clearly understood that I have not taken the lead in proposing an increase in petrol tax,” said Mr Watt. “That suggestion is not mine. It has been

made to me by organisations which have the interest of the motorist at heart.” Mr Watt said that the National Roads Board, when discussing the incidence of reading taxation recently, had adopted his recommendation that action be withheld until the Royal Commission on Local Authority Finance had finished its investigations. Otago A.A. Opposes Increase (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, April 1. The president of the Otago Automobile Association, Mr R. A. Douglas, today sent the following telegram to the South Island Motor Union: “Request union to intensify opposition to any petrol tax increase by making direct representations to Government insisting that union and associations be consulted before any such decision for increase is made. Also that motorists’ representative on board be instructed to oppose any increase.”