HUGE INCREASE
TAXATION OF MOTORISTS STORMY PROTESTS (By Tolograph—Special to "The Mail") OHIIISTCIimtCII, 30t.ii May. "While tlic motorists are always prepared to submit to fair taxation they must l)o prepared to light any imposition such hs is suggested," said 3'U' A. K. Ansell, M.P.. to-day at a, conferonce between North and South Island motor unions in discussing (he proposal to increase the petrol tax (reported in yesterday's issue). Mr Ansell said that the tendency was to make a .scapegoat of (ho motorists. It was suggested that bv additional petrol taxation £2,600,001) would be raised, of which £1,000,000 would bo for the Main Highways Hoard and the remainder for the extinction of the hospital board lew. That was obviously unfair and not worth considering. To show t|ie progression of motoring taxation he had compiled some figures. In 1927 the revenue of the Mam Highways Board was £586.370, in 1928 it was * £760,477, in 1929, when the petrol tax was imposed £1,344/189. and in) to 21st March of this year the total was £1,420,034. A certain increase in traffic naturally brought increased motors. The suggestion that land should be derated at the expense of motorists was obviously unfair. To say that a man adjacent, to a highway should not pav 'toward that highway which improved the value of the land was absurd. Ho was prepared to say that if the farmers had a grievance then the first place for relief was from the. hospital rate. Some rearrangement might be made. In 1914 the hospital rale, was £BB.OOO. in 1928 it was £331,000. . ... The' local bodies were using the dilficu.lt times as a reason why they should throw the burden of taxation on same other class. The public had to realise that the country was faced by difficult times, due in large measure to the decreased value of exports and that the Government should be helped, but that was no reason why motorists should have such suggestions thrown at them. Thore would be a deficit on the railways this yoar. There was need for co-ordinating transport and the motorists were prepared to help the Government in improving- transport methods. Mr \V. G. Walkley said the farmer used cars and the road was essential to his well-being. Motoring taxation had increased to an amazing figure. Politicians seemed to meet the difficulties by increasing taxation and seemed to be afraid to reduce'expenditure. Mr F. W. Johnston urged reduction of the hospital rate by improving the health of the community. There was ample scope for the Government, to carry out scientific research. Another thing to help the railways ai\d the, work of co-ordination was to make (he-Trans-port Board a live executive body instead of an advisory body.
Mr Ansell said (hat motorists' money had been used in unemployment relief. Thev had been carrying that burden in addition to their ordinary responsibility as taxpayers. He was not reflecting on the men but full value had not been got for that money. Men had been employed on pick and shovel work ■where machinery should have been used. Mr W. O'Callaghau moved "That this conference, .strenuously protests against any further increase in motor taxation." The motion was carried.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 May 1930, Page 7
Word Count
529HUGE INCREASE Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 May 1930, Page 7
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