MOTOR TAX.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 September 1924, Page 7

MOTOR TAX.

A COMPLICATED POSITION. (By Telegraph.—Special to Star.) . M ELLINGTON, Sept. 21. The second reading discussion on the Motor V ehicles Bill in the House o) Kepieseutatives showed such growing sj inpathy for a petrol tax in association u itli a. moderate flat tax oil motor vehicles that the select committee appointed to consider the measure is likely to hear some highly interesting evidence, and may have some difficulty in coining to its conclusions. There are complications in the .situation, and it was announced by the Hon. J. G. Coates, who has . charge of the national highways scheme, that a petrol tax was desirable. This Ministerial indication was allowed to go unchallenged | tor some weeks, when the- Prime Minister, while visiting the South Island, declared definitely to a deputation of fanners, who protested against a petrol tax, that there would be no such tax. The difficulties of a. petrol tax collection are admittedly great, because petrol is used not only for stationary larm engines, but for farm tractors. It was anticipated by the supporters of a petrol tax that -a system could be evolved under which purchasers for uses other than transit could obtain tax free pebrol on making a legal declaration of a simple character. Despite the Prime Minister’s statement on the subject the Minister for Public Works has again spoken of the necessity for a more equitable, tax than the tyre tax, one which would impose a levy more in accordance with road use. He is supported, it is believed, by a majority of members, and if the select committee on the Bill can be convinced that there is a reasonably safe system of differentiating between petrol required for motors and that used for farm purposes it may recommend a small tax of this character. Mr. O J. Hawken, member for Egmont, has been appointed chairman of the Motor Vehicles Committee, and it will commence to take evidence on I Tuesday, to meet the convenience of a number of country witnesses who are in Wellington on other business. The committee is faced with the task of hearing a large quantity of evidence, ahcl it proposes to notify the various interests of the dates on which they can be heard.