MOTOR INTERESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 11

MOTOR INTERESTS

TAXATION QUESTIONS ASSOCIATIONS SEEK RELIEF TARIFF AND PETROL IMPOSTS REPRESENTATIONS TO BE MADE [BY TELEGIIAPII—PRESS ASSOCIATION'] HAWEfIA, Saturday Representations to the Government on the question of tho yield and distribution of motor taxation, including customs duties on motor vehicles and parts, petrol tax, tyro tax and many licence fees relating to., motor vehicles, are to bo made by a deputation comprising tho chief officers of the North and South Island Motor Unions and tho presidents and secretaries of all affiliated automobile associations of tho Dominion. The decision to place the motorists' case for a reduction in motor taxation before tho Minister of Finance was reached after a discussion taken in committee at the annual conference of the North Island Motor Union at Wanganui on Thursday. Summary of Recommendations

The recommendations are summarised as follows: That British motor vehicles unassembled be imported on the same basis as industrial machinery. That motor vehicles from countries other than those included in the foregoing be subject to a tariff sufficient to give reasonable preference to British vehicles. That motor vehicles not unassembled be subject to a duty only sufficient to assist in protecting local employment, with a differentiation a3 between British and other motor vehicles to retain this preference. That the levy on motor spirit of 4}d a gallon for general purposes be abandoned. That the 92 per cent of the 6d a gallon assigned to the Main Highways Board be for its exclusive use in roading purposes and subject to no diversion whatever. Nearly £25 a Vehicle "Justification for the action being taken is found in the fact that since 1931 the yield from motor taxation has increased by over £2,500,000," said Mr. G. H. Laurence, secretary of tho North Island union. "The total yield from motor taxation in 1937 expressed in round figures was £5,500,000, an increase of appoximately £1,000,000 over tho figure for 1936. The yield from motor tax expressed on the basis of the average number of vehicles registered increased during the 1931-37 period from £l7 13s 9d a vehicle in 1931 to £24 17s lid a vehicle in 1937."