MOTORISTS' PROTESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20629, 30 July 1930, Page 9

MOTORISTS' PROTESTS.

GROWTH OF TAXATION. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ROADING. VIEWS OF MR. A. GRAYSON. The combined Automobile Associations of Lho North and South Islands are voicing vigorous protests at the proposal of the Government to increase the motor taxation which, even at present, is considered to bo almost excessive. A report by lho North and South Island Motor Lnions, the membership of which is about 55.000, was presented to the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, on July 17, and copies have now been circulated among the members of Parliament.

The report, which was accompanied by graphs, first deals with the immense growth of gross motor taxation since 1923, and states that in 1929 the amount contributed to national revenue by motor vehicle owners was four times greater than the total for 1923, having grown from £790,732 to £3,094.975. In 1923 (lagross motor taxation was equal to siightlv moro than one-fifth of the total income tax collected, while in 1929 it almost equalled the income tax, which totalled £3,310,877. Between 1925 and 1929 the number of motor vehicles on the register had doubled, and in 1929 the gross motor taxation reached a total £340.303 in excess of double the 1925 revenue from the same source. Highways and County Bates. The report also draws attention to the way in which the volume of main highways revenue is rapidly overtaking the county rates. Basing calculations on the last three years, the report states that it seems almost certain that in the year ending March 31, 1951. the main highways revenue will he greater than the county rates. This would mean that the motorist, from contributing nothing directly toward road-making in 1922, would this year probably contribute a sum greater than the counties. It is also pointed out that a motor vehicle is no longer a luxury, bnt is now a necessity in commercial and social life, and there remains the temptation (o tar it as if it were a luxury. While it mijr be disputed in certain quarters that beef 1 is a luxury, it is doubtful if it is f. necessity, the report states, but the additional tax of 3d a gallon would place pet rtf on a par with beer as far as tax wafc concerned. The report, which is very comprohe&: sive, deals with the county finance*, au£ also with the relation of motor ta.-»atior to unemployment. "Hands 02 Highways Tund." Commenting on .the subject yesterday, Mr. A. Grayson, president of the Auckland Automobile Association, staled that the only possible reply motorists could give i.iie Government was " hands off the Highways Fund." Mr. Grayson explained that in tht opinion of the Auckland Autwc+fcile Association Executive, one of tho main contributing factors in the increased volume of the export of primary products was theimproved roading facilities which had been made available through the voluntary contribution of motorists to the Highwayt Fund per medium of motor taxation. Mr. Grayson further thai T. number of county councils had ahead) improved their financial position owing to the assistance given by tha Main Highways Board and that in tho near futuie the majority of counties would be reaping an increasing benefit due to motorists' contributions. For this reason the association contended that the proposed increase in petrol taxation and raid on (lis Highways Fund were unwarranted. The association considered that motorists today were paying even moro than their, fair share in taxation.

In reply to an appeal to the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Staliworthy", the Auckland Automobile Association has received a telegram asking the associat ion's co-operation .in endeavouring to balance the Budget. MASTER BAKERS' POSITIOF. OPPOSITION TO INCREASE. [by telegraph.—press association.] PALMERSTON NORTH, Tuesday. A protest against any increase in the petrol tax. owing to the present high cost of delivery, was made at a largelyattended meeting cf the Manawatu Master Bakers' Association. The meeting represented bakers from Paekakariki to Halcombe. OPPOSITION TO INCREASES. RESOLUTION AT MASTERTON. [by telegraph.—PßESS ASSOCIATION.i MASTERTON, Tuesday. A large and representative meeting of Wairarapa motorists held in Mastertou | to-day carried the following resolution:" "That this meeting of motorists, representative of the whole of tho Wairarapa, emphatically, protests against the increased taxation of petrol and the raising of customs duties which, in view of the funds already made available by motor taxation, it considers unwarranted and unjust, and that all present at this meeting pledge themselves to oppose such increases."