PETROL AND RATING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1932, Page 14

PETROL AND RATING

INCREASING REVENUE

BUT NOT THE PRICE

FARMERS' DISCUSSION

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Eveiiino Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

That it was possible to increase- the petrol tax without increasing the price of petrol to the motorist was claimed by Mr. L. Hammond (Hunterville) at yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Provincial Executive of . the Farmers' Union when .moving a resolution favouring de-rating o£ 'farmlands. ; ' ' :'':".'"■'■:.■ Mr. Hammond stated that the whole question of de-rating farm lands had been held in abeyance and he thought the time ripe for the subject to go forward again XJe-rating / would bring tremendous relief to the farmers. -What was lost in rates could be made up by an additional petrol tax without makiug petrol auy dearer to the motorist. He mentioned that a Wellington company was about to put petrol dv the market-at Is lOd a gallon. That company was not ; doing it through love or affection for the motorist. It was out to make a profit, but was content .to accept a return of. 2d a gallon by retailing it at Is lOd. The Dominion president of the farmers Union had gone into the question very .closely, and .was' satisfied that it could be done. ' ■ ■' •- trtj?" mher'' "Where is this petrol e om«g Mr.. Hammond: "I understand from somewhere m Bulgaria." - A member:"That's near Russia. I won't buy any if it comes-from Russia." Mr. Lambert supported Mr. Hammond's proposal favouring de-rating" of farm lands tor mam highway purposes and off-setting the loss of revenue by an additional petrol NOT A WISE THING. The chairman (Mr, : K. W. Dalrymple) remarked that there had been a certain amount of de-rating and mentioned the vi Pl l' ?'"** rebate oa county rates. He did ; not think it a good.thing to advocate additional taxation.- ' -■ ■ Voices: "No." ' Mr. J. B. S. Duddiug did not like the idea of asking for more-petrol taxation. Ihe Government was looking" round for advi 7 revenue and might accept the Mr. D L. Younger (Peilding) was against the proposal. He felt that the farmers were being assisted. He knew that his county started off with' a Highways Board subsidy of £1 for £1 It was then raised to £2 for £1, and' was now £3 for £1, and recently the 12% per cent, remission .was jmade on. rates. He could not, therefore, support .the motion. Mr. A. Howard thought the time inopportune to mention .de-ratiag- and petrol taxation, . - . - - -■ ; . v "De-rating" remarked the chairman, was one of the union's planks." -■' The \\ anganui executive's resolution favoured de-ratmg for all roading purposes and did not specify only main highways.' j POSITION NOT RELIEVED. Replying to Mr. Younger, Mr. Hammond admitted the increased grants from the Mam Highways Board, but stated, that these had not relieved the rating position. Kates had actually gone up ■ '.'. 1--i:-■";' Mr. G^L. Marshall: "That's tht; point." air. Younger stated that in the case nf the Oroua County the rates bad been decreased, and the Kiwitea County was likely to reduce its rates this year, i. ' An amendment;- moved .by -Mr ■ J H Mason and seconded by Mr. Dudding' expressing the view that immediate . steps should be taken to de-rate the farm lands of the Dominion,for all roading purposes Was carried by ten votes to six, , the original motion being I6st on'the voices '