HORSE-POWER TAX OPPOSED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 August 1935, Page 5

HORSE-POWER TAX OPPOSED

FEARS OF MOTOR UNION. “SCOTCHED FROM VERY BEGINNING.” (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 23. A unanimous protest against the imposition of a horse-power tax in New Zealand was made at the conference of the North Island Motor Union today. Speakers took two different lines of thought, however, one urging that the imposition of the tax would be discrimination, in favour of English cars at the expense of American cars, and others' that it would be adding an unbearable tax to the most heavily taxed portion of the community. Mr A. E. Batt (Wellington) said the matter had been first taken up by his association and given some publicity with the object of scotching it from the very beginning. He could assure the conference that the -information primarily received by him had been of such a nature that he felt immediate action was necessary. “I .can only give you my personal assurance* that there -were interests at work which, wifhout opposition,' may have gained their point, or at least gathered support. I would like to see a very strong resolution undertaking strenuously to oppose any attempt to introduce a horse-power tax,” he said.

‘‘ We have to take a stand against a horse-power tax in New Zealand and in all other Dominions because it would be a hit at the American car, said Mr Johnston, president of the South Island Motor Union. ’ People would use British cars when thev improved and when their price was reduced.' The South Island union had taken the matter of the tax up with the Transport Department • and had been assured there was ~no such suggestion ■of it. Inquiries being made into horse power were merely for the purpose of collaboration with world statisticians. In th® meantime the union would have to take that statement as it was. The best policy at the present time would be to ignore the question, said Mr Roydhouse (Wairarapa). If the subject -were harped upon the union would be merely fomenting trouble. Mr Johnston had assured the conference that there was no possibility of a horse-power tax. If the matter were kept fresh in the minds of the authorities they might consider going ahead with it.

Mr Batt’s motion, -which was carried, was: “That this union, in collaboration with the South Island Union, in the event of any movement or proposal to impose a horse-power tax, will strongly oppose it.”