REBATE ON RATES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 289, 3 November 1934, Page 7

REBATE ON RATES

THE MOTORISTS’ POSITION

STATEMENT BY MR O’CALLAGHAN.

Per Press Association.

HAWERA, Nov. 3. Strong objection to the proposed rebate of 12i per cent, on rural rates at the expense of the motorist taxpayers was voiced by Mr W. O’Callaghan, president of the North Island Motor Union, to-day. After questioning the large landowner’s need of the rebate to saye him from disaster, in view of the good wool and lamb seasons, and the wheat subsidy, Mr O’Callaghan said: “We are deeply concerned that the Government proposes that this gift to the county ratepayers is to be a charge on the motor taxpayers. Surely if one section of the electors is to receive State aid the same should be a charge on the Consolidated Fund or, in other words, on all the taxpayers instead of one section, the already grossly over-taxed motor vehicle owner. A reduction in the petrol tax and consequently lower transport costs would actually be a more real benefit to the county ratepayers than the proposed tinkering with the road fund, and the Government does itself little credit in using the road fund for political purposes. . “In the last seven years motorists have paid £21,000,000 in taxation and as far as the union is concerned we have lost all patience with a Government obviously entirely out of sympathy with the motorist and blind to the necessity for cheap transport. The automobile associations do not object to the rebate, provided that the Government is not generous at the expense of the motor taxpayers,” Mr O’Callaghan adds.