PETROL TAX
MOTORISTS' CLAIMS
A plea for greater consideration of the claims of motorists for a share in the petrol tax was put forward by Mr. A. E. Ansell (Government, Chalmers), when speaking in the House of Representatives last evening.
Mr. Ansell said that the estimated petrol tax for the year would probably bo £2,625,000, of which £704,000 could be regarded as- directly available for the purpose for, which the Highwa3Ts Act was originally created, and it represented 3d to go on to the roads out of a tax of IOJd. That could not be called sound finance.
Mr. A. J. Stalhvorthy (Independent, Eden): Does the hon. gentleman understand that the Government has taken as much as £4,000,000 from the superannuation funds?
Mr. Ansell said that the present method of financing the Highways Fund was a great disadvantage to the local bodies. As the use of the roads increased and greater amounts, of taxation were paid, the responsibilities of the local bodies should be correspondingly less, and considerable assistance should be given to the local bodies. "If the Highways 'Act as originally compiled had been carried out, we would today have heard very little about derating," he said. In keeping with the step of other countries ho suggested that the Minister should give some relief to the motorists; he was not suggesting a reduction in taxation. The Minister of Transport (the Et. Hon. J. G. Coates): They have been very helpful. Mr. Ansell: Thank you. Mr. Ansell said that the best way of arranging relief would be along the way of seeing that the special motor duties were applied for roading purposes, which would lower the operating cost of many vehicles. It would also protect the capital funds that had been invested in the highways system. The transport users had been carrying on under a great burden, and when it was possible they should be relieved.
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PETROL TAX
Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 57, 5 September 1934, Page 16
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