MOTOR TAXATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20073, 2 April 1935, Page 8

MOTOR TAXATION

REPLY TO MR COATES By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. April 1. A reply is made by the North Island Motor Union, following a meeting today, with regard to Mr Coates's statement on motor taxation. The Union says it is not asking for a reduction of 6d per gallon on petrol, and the tax earmarked for highways, but that Mr Coates should honour the promise to reduce the extra 4d per gallon, imposed in addition to the general taxation motorists are paying in common with everyone else in the community. Afr Coates is challenged to make available for investgation the data from which his car-ownership table is compiled, it being observed that the figures do not correspond at any point with the Transport Department’s report. “We point out that the figures bear no relation, class by class, to each other, and we draw attention to the fact that the vast majority of motor vehicles, is owned by farmers, and other private car owners, who cannot pass the taxation on. It is also stated that it is difficult to understand a Minister of the Crown’s suggestion that heavy traffic fees and drivers’ licences are not a responsibility of the Government, when everyone knows that they arq imposed by Act of Parliament.” Receiving a notification that the price of registration plates will be reduced by 6d. the meeting expressed the opinion that the Post Office was not entitled to make any profit on plates, and the price should be reduced to the actual cost.