THE PETROL TAX.

Evening Star, Issue 19711, 11 November 1927, Page 6

THE PETROL TAX.

The most interesting passage in the parliamentary debate on the petrol tax of 4d per gallon was when Sir Joseph Ward joined issue with the Prime Minister on a proposal which the former described as monstrous and iniquitous. But what are the alternatives? They are continued neglect of the roads, or placing a tremendous burden on the landowners through the local bodies, or raising a huge sum by way of loan. The first would lead to a disorganisation, if not a paralysis, of all traffic except by rail, sea, or air. The second would be unjust in that those who do the damage to the roads would escape payment in proportion at the expense of others. The third would mean the inflation of the public debt and yearly interest bill and the application of capital expenditure to maintenance. This latter is a vicious principle, for expenditure on maintenance should be met out of revenue. Sir Joseph Ward skirmished round this idea of a loan without very definitely advocating its adoption, and in scouting it Mr Coates laid down some very wholesome guiding principles. There has already been incurred in respect of 9,400 miles of main and secondary highways an annual liability of over £1,800,000; and, if this is not met year by year out of revenue, the chickens will surely come home to roost some day. Clearly the land cannot contribute more of that than it is already doing, or it will be forced out of production by the inordinate rating placed upon it. Equally as clearly the motorists have the ability to provide the revenue, since in the past they have paid as high a price for petrol as the current price plus the tax. If, however, many motorists cannot afford it, they will curtail their mileage, and there will be a correspondingly lower need f'6r maintenance on the roads. But when the benefits from the expenditure on maintenance become tangible motorists will bo recompensed by lower running costs, and gradually the present “swingeing tax,” as Mr Coates calls it, should press: less hardly. The curious part of the business is that such strong denunciations against oppression of a section of the community should be made when so largo a number of the proposed victims have expressed themselves as seeing relief rather than oppression come from the imposition of the tax. As Mr Coates says, the petrol tax, though heavy, is equitable, and motorists will pay it willingly provided they get results. It is for the Government and its engineers to see that they do get the results,

In continuation of the anniversary of the Methodist Church at St. Clair a concert was given in the schoolroom last night by the pupils of Mr John T. Leech. There was a large attendance, and the songs and choruses were highly appreciated, also the very promising violin playing of Miss Eva Judd. Mr Leech was unable to attend personally, and in his place Mr W. G. Hilliker acted ably as director. When the Governor of New South Wales was announced at a big dinner given by the Sydney manufacturers last month it was mentioned that at the garden party to be held coincident with the opening of the Manufacturers’ Exhibition in December His Excellency would appear in Australian-made clothes, and it was hoped that others would do the same. In responding the Governor said that he wore Australianmade clothes every day, and found them very satisfactory. Has the hint any application to Now Zealanders?

Dunedin is soon to have two up-to-date new theatres. The Regent Picture Theatre, in the Octagon, is proceeding apace with excavations, and the New Empire is going ahead as fast as the workmen can tear down the hillside at the back of the existing theatre. Mr M'Lcllan, the contractor, and Mr Anscombe, the architect, are hopeful that it will not be necessary to dose down tho existing theatre, except for a very short time in February. The New Empire is to have tho latest typo of cinema organ installed, said to be an improvement on the Wurlitzer. Tho Macandrew Load School Expupils’ Association held a very successful social in the school gymnasium last evening. Mr J. W. Dove, in extending a welcome, intimated that ho was proud of tho honor of being elected the first chairman of tho newly-formed association. Ho asked one and all to give the necessary support to further the movement, tho success of which, ho felt sure, was assured. Tho chairman apologised for the unavoidable absence of tho Rev. V. G. Bryan King and Mr J. Bowie. Items were given by Miss Blackwood and Mr M‘Corkindalc, both being very heartily applauded. Dancing was indulged in, the music being supplied by Miss Holland and Mrs Clayton. The Otago Laud Board, at its meeting this week, offered renewals of leases to 13 holders of small grazing runs, two in the Kurow district, the others round about Macraes, Rock and Pillar, and Patearoa, tor tho same term as before —namely, 21 years, at annual rentals that are increased by an average of a fraction over 21 per cent., tho total being £1,266, as against £1,041 for the terra now expiring. The Commissioner (Mr Galbraith) said It was gratifying that the tenants were satisfied with the new rentals. Twelve of the 13 had said so, and tho other had not yet replied. Next year the Otago Land Board wjll bo dealing with the expiring leases of a largo number of small grazing runs that are subdivisions of tho original Morven Hills, Kawarau, Matakanui, Ida Valley, and Linburn Stations. The rental-fixing is the duty of an independent expert appointed by the board for tho purpose according to the Act.

The Mnnorbnrn Dam is now providing anglers with good sport. One party recently took 70 fish during the week-end, and their only regret was that the fish were not in prime condition. Lee Stream is also talked about. A basket of ten, running to 1-Xlb each, was the reward of one rod there the other day, all taken with the peveril or the peak fly. Other encouraging experiences of the same sort hero ami there serve as some consolation for tho unfavorable weather conditions generally.

Preparations yesterday at the Otago Institute Observatory for watching the exact time of contact in the transit of tho planet Mercury were rendered futile, the cloudy sky quite obscuring the sun during the whole period of the transit. The phenomenon will not recur until 1937, and it is improbable that this will be visible in New Zealand.

Lamentations and whimperings were freely mixed with the “Good morning ” saluations to-day as our townsfolk met. The weather was very rough, piercing blasts from the southwest causing men to muffle and glove as in winter. The experience must be distressing to farmers who see their spring crops delayed, and the men who are about to start for Ross Sea for the whaling will get a foretaste of polar conditions, if this wind lasts, before they reach the ice barriers. They, however, are the hardy fellows whoso murmurings are never heard, though perhaps they have a word or two on the subject amongst themselves. At the directors’ meeting of the Australian Provincial Assurance Association on November 1 Mr William Tilley, of Sydney, was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy on the board caused by the resignation of Dr E. Morris Humphrey.—Wellington Association message.

Our Cromwell correspondent wires:— Early in the week there was considerable rainfall, and since then the weather has been unsettled, with a cold storm last night. This morning there is a light coating of snow on the mountains. The season is still backward. Orchardists have been busy thinning the stone fruit, .and good crops now seem certain. Light frost, which is quite probable while the weather remains cold, would not have serious effects now. as the crops are too far advanced.

At a meeting of the dominion executive of the Associated Clubs of New Zealand, held at Wellington, the following resolutions were unanimously carried:—“ The executive of the Associated Clubs of New Zealand emphatically protests against the removal of the middle issue from the ballot paper in the vote on the licensing question.” “ The executive of the Associated Clubs of New Zealand regrets that the Licensing Bill does not contain the recommendations of the special parliamentary committee of 1924, and urges that clause 11 of these recommendations relating to clubs bo embodied in the Licensing Bill.” The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce has forwarded the following telegram to the Premier;—“ We join the Invercargill Chamber in strongly protesting against the omission of the visit by Mr Amery to Invercargill and to continued studied neglect by the Government of the southern portion of the dominion. Reply urgent.”

Attention has been drawn to tho fact that, contrary to tho general rules concerning the observance of Armistice Day, the Government buildings in Dunedin have not been flying their flags. The explanation is that the Government departments received from the Department of Internal Affairs a circular to the effect that flags were to be flown only during the two minutes’ silence, at which period they were to be at half-mast. The occasion was considered too solemn for a general display. The Finance Committee of tho City Council considered yesterday afternoon tho question of the unemployed. It was reported that the available funds —£5,000 from >the City Council, the Government subsidy thereon, and £1,395 from the public—were almost expended, and as no further money is at present at command the committee decided to close down forthwith on the work at Logan Park road (34 men) and the Town Belt road (16 men). Work will be stopped on the High street job (30 men now there) at an early date. The Corstorphine, Seaview terrace, and Signal Hill road works are to be completed, but those jobs will last only a few days. Tho mayor said this morning that he is much concerned oyer the situation, and is anxiously awaiting the reply or tho Government to the suggestion that n scheme be instituted for unifying relief works throughout the dominion, thus placing a share of responsibility on each and every local body that could do something.

The postal authorities advise that mails which left Wellington on October 11 via San Francisco arrived in London on November 10.

A public meotting was held last night at Cromwell to consider the dominion proposal for universal recognition of Mr Sidey’s services in the Summer Time Act. Public recognition was approved, but the well-attended meeting declined to _ collect funds to forward to any appointed centre. As an alternative it was decided to take a collection, with a maximum of 2s 6d, and with the fund' realised to create a children’s playground in the town, giving it some title in keeping with the general movement/ The town has been anxious for some time to provide such an area, but funds wore not available. The latest movement gives a splendid opportunity, and the list will be liberally supported.—Cromwell correspondent.

The South Dunedin Euchre Assembly will hold another of its euchre tournaments to-morrow night For spectacles that soothe the eyes consult W. V. Stunner, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Our business s exclusively optical. —[Advt.] The Square Deal Euchre Assembly will hold a progressive cuchro tournament in the Waratah Tea Rooms at 8 o'clock on Saturday night. The attention of the public is drawn to the fact that the Pacific Starr-Bowkett Building Society’s No. 6 group of sixpenny shares is filling rapidly. All intending shareholders arc advised to send in their applications as early as possible so as to participate ip the first ballot. Office open ou Friday evenings between 7 and 8 o’clock, to allot shares. Office, 86 King Edward street.—[Advt.]