SPECIAL INQUIRIES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 133, 8 June 1931, Page 10

SPECIAL INQUIRIES

HIGHWAYS TAXATION

CEMENT AND PETROL

PRICES

Assurances were given by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) in conversation with a "Post" reporter to-day, that he had not overlooked undertakings he had given during the 1930 session that inquiries would be made into the main highways taxation system, cement prices, and petrol prices. When the taxation proposals of last session were under consideration in the House objection was raised against the clause in the Finance Bill providing that interest should be paid out of the Main Highways Eevenuc Fund on capital moneys previously transferred from the Public Works Fund, and that the subsidies to local authorities in respect of their general rates should be paid out of the Main Highways Revenue Fund instead of out of the Consolidated Fund. Replying to the criticism in the House, the Prime Minister'said that the time was coming when they should look into ilie whole position of the Highways Fund. He intended.to submit the question to the Public Accounts Committee of the House with a view of ascertaining whether the present system of highways taxation could be put on a more satisfactory basis. When the matter was mentioned to Mr. Forbes to-day, ho replied that ho intended to refer the question to a committee of the House during the coming session. An endeavour was made by Reform members when the tariff changes were under debate in the House last year to have the duty on cement removed or reduced, and amendments to this end wore withdrawn when the Prime Minister promised to have an inquiry made in the recess into the necessity for a duty on cement. Similarly, referring to complaints as to the difference in the cost of petrol in America and in JNfew Zealand, Mr. Forbes said that during the recess ho intended to have an investigation made to see if such statements wore borne out by facts. Mr. Forbes stated to-day that the Department of Industries and Commerce was investigating both these matters, and that probably information would bo ready to be placed before the House in the coming session.