PETROL TAX INCREASE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 141, 14 May 1930, Page 8

PETROL TAX INCREASE.

URGED BY LOCAL BODIES. “That the Government be urged to increase the petrol tax to such a figure as will enable it to completely finance all future maintenance and construction costs on all primary main highways in a permanent manner.” The foregoing resolution forwarded to the Manawatu County Council yesterday by the Whakatane County Council with the request that the request be supported. Cr. J. H. Perrett: I have no objection to it. I think we ought to support it. A little more petrol tax would pay us. The chairman (Cr. W. E. Barber): It would perhaps mean a little less money going out of the county in rates. I think, however, that the petrol tax is hign enough. Cr. D. W. Reid: It would be better than raising the rates. The chairman: You must admit that our financial position this year is better than previously. Cr. Perrett: There are special circumstances contributing to it, perhaps. Cr. H H. Hunt: The lorries are a great advantage to farming transport and we would not like to see them cut out, although'they do cause heavy road maintenance The chairman: A good proportion of our ratepayers have cars and they would be paying both ways. Cr. Reid: Sometimes we have to wait for the rates, but we would not have to wait for the benzine tax to be paid. Cr. Perrett: There is more in it perhaps than meets the eye; we had better read the resolution carefully. The chairman lead the resolution again whereupon Cr. Perrett observed that “all future maintenance” might moan 100 years or anytime. The chairman: I don’t like the term “completely finance.” How would that affect roads already completed? Cr. Perrett: It would have to be made retrospective. Tlie chairman: “Primary highways” must moan that the tax is only for main arterial highways and that hardly seems right. However, the point at issue is the rate —what is it going to be? They might make it 8d or more a gallon. Cr. Hunt: Make it a shilling. Cr. McKelvie: Quite right. I can support the first part of the resolution but not the last. Cr. Perrett: I cannot see how tny council can go past supporting the principle involved, hut it is the wording the resolution that is wrong. There is no doubt that tho tax shouhl have been made 6d a gallon in the first place.” It was decided to support the proposal without any variation, the council contending that the principle was right.