PETROL TAX

Evening Star, Issue 19725, 28 November 1927, Page 11

PETROL TAX

PROPOSED ALLOCATION

A communication lias boon received by tbo Works Committee of (he City Council, from the Wanganui City Council, asking for support, in the matter of a protest to the Government against the imposition of tho proposed petrol tax of 4d per gallon,-on tho ground that such tax is excessive. Tho committee lias given tho matter consideration, but is unablo to endorse tho opinion expressed by the Wanganui Borough Council. On the subject of tho proposed lax generally it is understood that the Government is making provision for 8 per cent, of the total revenue from the new tax to bo divided between boroughs of a population of over 6,000 on a population basis. A rough estimate indicates that Dunedin’s share would come to about. £6,500 per annum. The committee is of the opinion that the proposed allocation of 8 per cent, for boroughs is not only inadequate, but unjust, bearing in mind that a great proportion of the tax will como from vehicles that seldom leave (ho city streets. The committee has accordingly instructed the town clerk to take tho necessary steps to make a strong protest to tho Government against the proposed allocation to boroughs, and to ask that tho amount of such allocation bo substantially increased. Tho local members of Parliament have also been advised of tbo council s protest, and asked to support it.