PRICE OF PETROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26542, 18 August 1947, Page 4

PRICE OF PETROL

REMOVAL OF WAR TAX URGED A.A. PRESIDENT’S VIEWS “The increase in the price of petrol occasioned by increased costs is not surprising in view of rising costs everywhere,” said the president of the Automobile Association (Otago), Mr G. W. Ferens, in an interview with the Daily Times last night. “The Government. has full access to all the petrol companies’ records and the increase, no doubt, is fully justified on this score. I am informed that the margin of profit per gallon allowed to the companies is fixed by the Government and is maintained at a constant figure. “What tfye Automobile Associations want is the lifting of the 4d per gallon war tax which is still imposed on every gallon purchased. In spite of repeated representations, the Government still collects this tax, which is unjust. With the advent of the Budget we hope that the Minister of Finance will correct this injustice. This would reduce the price qf petrol by 4d a gallon and would more than offset the new increase. “Britain must export cars to live and a lower price of petrol would be an incentive to prospective purchasers who are faced with a considerable outlay to buy a new car." A meeting of the Otago Taxi Proprietors' Association will be held on Monday next, August 25, at which the increase in price of petrol will probably be discussed.