MOTOR TYRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5666, 21 December 1920, Page 7

MOTOR TYRES.

SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS.

According to a report by the N.Z. Automobile Union, the value of imports into the Dominion of rubber motor tyres during the calendar years 1917, 1918, and 1919 were as follows: — 1917 £449,778 1918 £701,926 1919 £860,048

The Customs Department, the report goes on to say, was unable to distinguish between pneumatic and solid tyres and this is to be very greatly regretted, as it renders accurate calculations and statistics almost impossible. Assuming, however, that the pneumatic tyres average t’.vo-thirds of the imports and the solid tyres one-third (though this is pure guesswork) the only way in which to arrive at a reasonable forecast of the revenue, proposed to be raised by the taxation, suggested by this Union would be to take a tax of 15 per cent, on two-thirds of the value of the imports, and 20 per cent, on the remaining one-tliird. Assuming, therefore, that the increase of imports this year over last will show at least, the same proportion of increase is last year did over the former, then we have a total import for 1920 pf just o'er £1,000,000, therefore .two-thirds of £l,000,000 at 15 per ’cent' produces, say,» £100,000; one-third of £1,000,000 at 20 per cent produces, say, £66,666; producing a total taxation.revenue of £166,666 per annum. This, as .an annual income for the construction and V maintenance of roads, does not appear to bo a big sum, but-it will furnish adequate interest , and sinking-fund upon a loan of approximately two and threequarter millions. This does not take into consideration any income' from the other interests already enumerated, but 'indicates merely. ;what. the motorists’ proportion would be for this year only. .• ’ > j.\ ,