Restoration Of N.R.B. Petrol Tax Urged

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31830, 7 November 1968, Page 22

Restoration Of N.R.B. Petrol Tax Urged

New Zealand’s major transport and local-body interests today urged the Government to restore “as of right” the 1c per gallon of petrol tax to the National Roads Fund.

Last year the Government removed the tax from the National Roads Fund and paid it into the Consolidated Fund.

A 12-man deputation comprising representatives of the Automobile Association of New Zealand, the Industrial Transport Association, the Municipal Association of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Counties’ Association today met the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake), the Minister of Works (Mr Allen), and the Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon), to present their submissions.

After the meeting, which lasted for 75 minutes, the leader of the delegation and president of the Counties’ Association (Mr W. Baird) said that Mr Holyoake advised them the Government would consider their proposal; but he could give no indication if it would be accepted by the Government. New Allocations

The deputation also asked that the Government's contribution to the National Roads Fund next year should be $3.5m. Last year the Government contributed s3m to the fund. Mr Baird said the Prime Minister would inform the

four associations—all repre- i sented on the National Roads : Board —of the Government’s i decision before the December meeting of the National Roads Board. The deputation’s submissions said tl.e four organisations were concerned about i

the stability of the National Roads Fund in view of planning that was necessary every year. In December each year, said the submissions, the board has to decide its various allocations for the succeeding financial year.