USE OF PETROL TAX

Evening Star, Issue 25956, 22 November 1946, Page 11

USE OF PETROL TAX

ROADING PURPOSE ONLY MOTOR UNION'S CONTENTIONS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. The quarterly meeting of the North Island Motor Union to-day carried the following resolutions unanimously:— _ “ That this meeting of the N.IJM.U. views with concern the statement of the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, that the petrol tax when first imposed was not intended exclusively for roading purposes The fundamental principle underlying the payment of the petrol tax was clearly outlined on the introduction of the tax in 1927, and as a measure of road usage it was primarily a. tax for the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of roads.” ,“ That the N.I.M.U. reaffirms its requests to the Government—(l) That the tax of 4d a gallon imposed for defence purposes in 1939 be immediately removed; (2) that the 4d a gallon which was to operate during the depression only be also removed immediately, or, alternatively, if it is retained it be specifically allocated to the main highways account as additional revenue.” “ That motorists as such have no objection to the payment of a reasonable tax on petrol provided it is used exclusively for roading purposes. That we concur with the S.I.M.U. in its recent protest to the Government with particular reference to the statement by the Minister of Finance.”-