MOTOR TAXATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 73, 17 June 1927, Page 3

MOTOR TAXATION

Motor taxation was discussed at a public meeting in the Kauri Public Hall, Whangarei, or Wednesday evening. Mr. W. Jones, M.P. for Marsden, introduced the subject by expressing the opinion that Parliament, during the coming session, would increase this taxation, but whether the increase would take the form of a tax on petrol or an increase in the tyre tax he did not know. Personally he was a strong advocate of a petrol tax, which he thought was a most equitable basis of taxation. It was objected that under this system, men with milking machines or motor-boats would be unfairly treated, but Mr. Jones claimed that there was no system which did not contain inequalities. These, however, could be adjusted. America had proved the superiority of the petrol tax. In that country petrol used for marine engines and milking machines was coloured, and if a man was caught using it for his motor-car he was heavily fined. Mr. Jull. who had investigated the subject in America, was quite satisfied the t any little inequalities were compensated for. Mr. Graham urged that the tax should be upon the weight of the car. Mr. Davidson, speaking with 3 7 years’ experience in the British motor trade, and who had been associated with road boards and county* councils, spoke in favour of a petrol tax. He considered that the County Council was throwing away money on its roads.