THE PETROL TAX

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 7

THE PETROL TAX

FARMERS WILL SUFFER

(Special to the 'Evening Post,") PALMERSTON N., This Day. The increase in the petrol tax, with particular reference to the farming community, was discussed by the Manawatu provincial executive of the Farmers' Union.

The matter was raised by Mr. E. O. Bond, who expressed the view that the Government should be asked to remit the additional fourpence in the case of farmers using petrol on the farm. For benzine used for agricultural purposes there was already a rebate of 6d, so his proposal would make the total rebatt lOd. He pointed out thai in recent years there had been increas.' ing mechanisation on farms, and if the new tax was not remitted to thp farmers they would be hard hit.

After some discussion the following resolution was carried:—

"That this executive strongly opposes the imposition of a further tax of 4d a gallon on petrol for defence purposes, as in our opinion defence expenditure should be shouldered by every citizen in the country, according to ability to pay. Therefore, we consider that a more equitable tax would be possible if the machinery of the Social Security Act was made use of to provide the necesary funds. If the Government persists in its intention to impose the tax we feel that in the long run the bulk of the tax will fall on the primary producers. We therefore ask that the Government remit this tax in so far as petrol used for agricultural purposes is concerned."