NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 10 (Supplement)

NOTES.

Lubricating oil imported into New Zealand during the first six months of 1927 totalled 1,561,321 gallons.

New motor regulations introduced in Switzerland prohibit yellow paint schemes for private cars, as this colour has been chosen for government motors.

The Auckland Motor Trade Association has increased the number of its executive from seven to nine. Mr. F. G. Farrejl has been re-elected president for the year.

The annual meeting of the Cambridge agency of the A.A.A. will be held next Thursday. An address will bo delivered by the president of the parent body, Dr. li. Lawry.

A total of 1945 motor-cycles, valued at £88,985, were imported into New Zealand during the first six months of 1927. In the corresponding period of 1926 the number was 2046 machines, and the value £94,207.

Old Gentleman (engaging a new chauffeur) : "I suppose I can write to your last employer for your character?" Chauffeur: " I'm sorry to say, sir, each of the last two gentleman I have been with died in my service."

Visitors to Paris, watching the endless swirl of fast-moving traffic, so different from the leisurely procession of motor' omnibuses in London, often wonder how many cars there are in the French capital. At the beginning of the present year there were exactly 145,665 motor vehicles in Paris. This total includes nearly 88,000 private cars and 16,440 taxicabs. It does not include motor-cycles.

After hearing a deputation of motor traders, the Timaru Borough Council rescinded a resolution banning kerbside pumps. The council had decided that all petrol pumps should be removed before next April. The deputation submitted that petrol sellers would suffer considerable loss if compelled to remove their equipment. It was stated that the profits to be made would not induce many garage proprietors to build drive-in stations on the Auckland plan. The council reversed its decision. There are 26 kerb pumps in Timaru.

PETROL* TAXATION.

A GROWING SPECTRE. It seems probable, that the question of a petrol tax will be touched upon before Parliament concludes its session. The motor organisations are taking the precaution of being prepared for the measure and if a tax is suggested in the dying days of the session, there will bo an immediate representation of the motorist's point of view. Already delegates of the North and South Island Motor Unions have formulated a policy but it cannot be disclosed at present whether the motorists will be pro or con.

If any suggestion for a new imposition is backed by an assurance of a faster main highway policy, it is likely that motorists will take "the broad view provided the levy is not exorbitant. The Auckland Automobile Association was strongly opposed to a petrol tax at the beginning of last year on the ground that the registration and licensing fees were returning more money than the Government expected. In rebuttal of the argument that petrol taxes provided the fairest means of extracting revenue in direct proportion to road usage, the A.A.A. contended that the tyre duties touched the motorist's pocket in proportion to his annual mileage. The Government should meet with no opposition from vehicle-owners if a petrol tax was levied in view of existing charges. An annual license fee of £2 for a private car would certainly seem unnecessary if petrol tax existed. There would be absurd complications if the revenue is to be derived from tyres, licensing and petrol. A petrol tax could be adjusted to carry the full burden. For statistical purposes it is most desirable that annual licensing should be maintained at a nominal sum. Number plates could be issued as formerly, and the charge need merely cover costs of the plates and administration expenses. The Post Office has charged Is 6d in the past for each license, so that if the cost of plates is included, the motorist would need to pay not more than 4s a year to fulfil this requirement. The equivalent of the £2 could be more equitably collected through petrol taxation. Registration and licensing fees for the year ended March 31 last, returned £497,163. After administration expenses were deducted about £485,000 was paid over to the Main Highways Board. In addition, the board received about £150,000 from duties on tyre imports for 12 months. It is interesting to observe how this total of £635,000 could be collected on petrol. There are nearly 170,000 motor vehicles in the Dominion, and during the first six months of this year 23,475,000 gallons of motor spirit and benzine were imported. This is at the rate of 46,950,000 gallons a year. The actual figure in 1926 was 44,000,000 gallons. Assuming only 45,000,000 gallons for 1927, a tax of 2d per gallon would yield £375,000, and 3d per gallon would produce £562,500. It is obvious that if the tyre tax were retained, the flat rate license fees could be more than equalled by a tax of 3d per gallon. If both license fees and tyre tax were abolished it would be necessary to find £635,000. " A petrol tax of 3id per gallon would return over £656,200. If a petrol tax is to be imposed in addition to the two existing sources of revenue, it would need to be small if motorists are to take it quietly. Even Id pei 1 ' gallon would produce £187,500. which added to the present revenue of £635,000 from tyres and licensing, would bring the motorists annual contribution for roading to £822,500.