MOTOR TAXATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23068, 20 June 1938, Page 13

MOTOR TAXATION

REQUEST FOR REDUCTION NO REPLY FROM MINISTER SOUTHERN UNION'S DECISION [MY TELEGRAPH —TOESS ASSOCIATION] OAMARU, Saturday A decision to ask the North Island Motor Union to join in a deputation to the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, asking for a reply to a question, which correspondence had failed to produce, was reached by the South Island Motor Union yesterday. The unions waited on the Minister in September, asking for a reduction in motor taxation, which had assumed tremendous proportions. It was stated that 95,000,000 gallons of petrol were taxed in the past year and it was expected that the total would be 100,000,000 in the coming year. The Minister had promised to submit a considered reply, but nothing more had been heard from him. Requests by the unions for a reply had not even been formally acknowledged. The union decided to oppose the day of grace after May 31 for the fixing of new number-plates. The Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, however, is to be asked to allow two days before May 31 for tlie affixing of plates. It was decided unanimously that representations be made to have intoxicated drivers dealt with by stipendiary magistrates only. The rumoured proposal of the Government to permit the establishment of a tyre manufacturing monopoly in New Zealand was discussed at length. It was stated that if any restriction were put on imports, or the duty wa« increased, motorists would be compelled to buy probably inferior t*>r«s, thereby endangering lives. It was decided to co-operate with the North Island Union in opposing a monopoly if any restriction of imports or increased duty is imposed.