MOTOR-LORRY TAXATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20024, 14 August 1928, Page 7

MOTOR-LORRY TAXATION.

PROTEST BY OWNERS.

RELIEF URGENTLY REQUIRED. Iu a publication dealing exhaustively with the matter, the Now Zealand Master Carriers' Federation makes a public protest against excessive motor taxation, particularly as it affects commercial vehicles.

It is staled as the federation has not been successful in impressing upon the Government the necessity for immediate relief, the support of other sections of the community is being sought in the attempt "to remove the distinct hardship being inflicted upon- owners of commercial vehicles."

While tho federation admits it agreed to a petrol tax, it states that was conditional upon the taxation then existing not being increased in the aggregate. In fact, it would have welcomed, on such terms, a petrol tax alone, all others to bo abolished, but actually the Government imposed a petrol tax as an additional charge, conceding only a small reduction in annual licence fees on motorlorries. A deputation of protest to the Minister of Public Works eight months ago, and repeated requests since made, had been without result. Tho publication proceeds ,to justify tho federation's complaint. It is stated the annual operating costs of a five-ton truck costing £I2OO are £928, necessitating that the vehicle should earn £3 7s every working day of the . year to cover the actual cost of running, or £3 12s Id on every working day to return the owner even seven per cent, on his outlay. That is without allowance for over head expenses, accidents and lost time.

Through cutting of rates in the carrying trade, it is stated, the cost of taxation cannot be passed on to tho public. In the current year taxation •on motorcars and commercial vehicles would approximate £1,332;533, of which 100,689 motor-cars would pay £797,121, and 18,450 commercial vehicles (oxcluding motor-buses, tractors, cycles, etc.) £535,412. It is also stated that between 1927 and 1928 there has been a decline in the registration of commercial vehicles, which, in the case of trucks, at least, must be due to excessive taxation.

FROZEN MEAT MARKET. LATEST LONDON QUOTATIONS. The Bank of Now Zealand has received the following advice from its London office as at the close of business last week:— The market for wethers has improved and tho present demand is likely to continue. The ewe market is more active, owing to shorter supplies from the Argentine. The advance in the lambs market is likely to be maintained. The beef market is steady. Wethers, light, 7£d to' 7fd per lb.; heavy, 6{d to 7d, Ewes, s£d to 6d, Lambs, twos, lOd to eights, 9gd to 10^(1; fours, to 9|d; seconds. 9gd to Ox hinds, to 6d; fores. 7)! 2 <\ to 4d. Cow hinds, 5d to s^d; fores, to 3J.d. KAURI GUM PRICES. CONTROL BOARD'S REPORT. The Kauri Cum Control Board reports that prices obtained during the fortnight ended on Monday were as follow: White Gum. —Rescraped. 250s per cwt.; seven-eighths, 140s to 210s; ordinary, 80s to 100s; range nuts, 56s to 655; white chips and dust, 25s to 355; poor swamp white, 50s. Black Gum.—Poor, rescraped, 140s'; washed steel. 75s to 90s; light brown, 43s to 655; B2 small, 32s to 36s nuts, 25s to 30s; nubs, 24s to 275; peas, 24s to 255; good chips, 20s to 245; poor chips, 16s to 19s. Swamp Gum.—Chalky nuts, 25s to 275. AUSTRALIAN CONVERSION LOAN. SATISFACTORY SUBSCRIPTIONS.

During the week ended July 28 subscriptions to the Australian Commonwealth Conversion Loan amounted to £2,216,040, the number of individual applications being 3548. There has recently been a marked increase in the number of small conversions, the average of which throughout last week was almost 400 a day. The total subscriptions to the loan on August 1 stood at £13,532.560, of which £4.948,260 represents new cash and £8,584,300 conversion, the aggregate number of applications being 17,863. Since the balance of the maturing loan to be covered is less than £6,500,000, and the volume of applications has been steadily maintained for several weeks, the Treasury considers it likely that the loan will have to be closed well before September 'l4. The total redemption 5n response to the Treasury's offer of immediate cash ainounted to £458,360 at the close of business on July 31. THE EGG INDUSTRY. MEETING OF PRODUCERS. At a meeting of the Auckland Egg-pro-ducers' Association last evening discussion centred around suggested improvements in the local marketing of eggs. Mr. F. Wells presided. It was reported arrangements had been made for the export of 150 cases of eggs during the period September to December. It was decided to support producers in the South Island in their attempts to obtain, through the New Zoaland Poultry Association, an increase in the Government grant to egg-producers. The duty on wheat was discussed. It was stated assistance was needed to lower the present high cost of this necessity. Cheaper feed in the North; Island would mean the fostering of a large industry capable of building up an extensive export egg trade. Indignation was expressed at a practice among certain grocers of keeping the prices of eggs low, and using this product as a catch line. Efforts will be made to counteract this. An increase in the membership of the association -was announced. STOCK SALES. WAIITOU AND NGARUAWAHIA. Tlio Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Company reports having held its usual Waihou stock sal© last Friday, when a good entry of all, classes camo forward. Beef was again in keen demand, the market being firm. Two heavy prime steers sold on /account of F. I. Hunt, To Aroha, realised £l7 17s 6d and an'extra heavy jn-ime cow on account of the same vendor, £l6. Duiry cattle were again penned in good numbers and heifers and cows of good quality sold at satisfactory prices. Store pigs were yarded in large numbers and the demand was keen. Quotations: —Sheep: Fat twotooth ,sheep. 34s 4d; forward-conditioned wether hoggets, 27s lOd to 28s; store wethbr hoggets, 20s Id; ewo hoggets, 29s lid: aged ewes in lamb to Romney rams, 20s. Cattle: Heavy prime steers, £l7 17s Gd; one heavy prime cow, .£l6: heavy fat cows, £ll 10s to £l2 12s Gd; medium, £9 2s to £9 19s; lighter, £7 : 5s to £8 15s; heavy fat heifers. £8 2a Gd to £8 15s: lighter, £6 15s to £7 ss; unfinished cows, £5 5s to £6 3s; forwardconditioned, £4 to £4 15s: store cows, £2 10s to £3 ss; boners, 25s to 32s 6d; good quality one-year Shorthorn steers, £4 J9s; choice Jersey heifer calves, £4 7s to £4 9s; others, i£3 17s. The ' company having held; ita usual Ngaruawahia stock salo last Briday. There was a moderate yarding of beef and store cattle, the, market being very firm. Quotations: —Medium fat steers, £ll ss; medium fat cows. £9 12s to £lO ss; lighter. £7 15s to £8 10s; fresh-conditioned cows. £G as to £7: unfinished, £5 5s to £G: store cows, £2 19s to £4 -Is; bulls, £3 15s to £6 3s; .Tersey heifers, £S to £10; others. £5 to £6 10s.