SUBSTITUTE FUELS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1942, Page 2

SUBSTITUTE FUELS

MILEAGE TAX PAYABLE. CHRISTCHURCH, February 17. Prosecutions will be taken in future when substitute fuels are used in motor vehicles without the necessary mileage being paid. As a result of inquiries made following the observance of large numbers of private cars at recent race meetings, said the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple) this morning, motorists advised his Department that they were using cars by mixing kerosene, white spirit, and other similar substitutes with petrol. “It should be made known to motorists that, in most cases, this has a very detrimental effect on the engine of a car, and can easily result in serious damage,” added the Minister. “While this may be principally the motorists’ own business, it is also the case that, where substitutes of this type are used, mileage tax is payable through the Post Office at ths rate of 6/7.8d per 100 miles. Failure to declare the use of substitutes or to pay the tax is an offence. The sole exception. to this is the use of producer gas or coal gas, which are exempted from the requirements by the Substitute Fuels Emergency Regulations, 1940.” Inquiries from the Transport Department indicate that, as a warning has been issued by the Minister, it is intended that prosecutions will in future be taken when substitute fuels are used in motor-vehicles without the necessary tax being paid.