A PETROL TAX

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19471, 29 October 1926, Page 8

A PETROL TAX

Sir, —While much interest is being taken in the question of the introduction of the petrol tax it will perhaps be of added interest to have the views of this matter held in England. Tho following is a copy of the Bulletin issued by the Automobile Association, London, and published in the daily issue of the Light Car and Cyclecar. This Automobile Association has a membership exceeding three hundred thousand. The case for the petrol tax has been proved up to the hilt. Its feasibility is beyond question. Every avenue ha:j been explored to find a better method, but years of inquiry and research have merely served to emphasise that the petrol tax, is the only remedy for the evils of the horse-power" system. The remote possibilities of loss to the revenue by persons deliberately evading the tax have been greatly exaggerated. Theoretically these possibilities exist, but for all practical purposes they are unimportant. This was demonstrated at tho public inquiry, and the following is an extract from the joint report of the Association's secretary and the representative of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trades.:—

"We arc in entiro disagreement with the decision of the majority of the committee as to the impracticability of a motor spirit tax, and are convinced that for the purpose of collecting from motor owners their required contribution for road costs a motor spirit duty is an equitable and practicable method. We are satisfied that with the adoption of a flat rate duty on motor spirit the former method of motor spirit taxation requires only 'o bo adopted to changing conditions. We are strongly of the view that given the co-operation of the Customs and Excise Authorities a sound method of motor spirit taxation can bo devised!

A petrol tax existed for ten years It was introduced in 1909, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer then said: The tax on petrol will fall on motorists in proportion both to the distance travelled and also to the power of the car. Despite its fairness the tax was repealed in 1920, and to-day, while petrol is taxed in fortyfive American States, France, Italy, and other countries, the English motorist is still denied a reasonable system of motor taxation based on road use. J. W. Lovell. President Motor Track Owners'- Ass,