“INIQUITOUS!”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19993, 9 November 1927, Page 8

“INIQUITOUS!”

THE PETROL TAX CITY COUNCIL’S PROTEST A protest against the petrol tax which was chajraxrterisei as an “iniquitous measure,” was passed by the City Council at its meeting last evening. Councillors C- H. Burnett moved that the Council’s protest be circularised to local bodies and that it be recommended that the tax be redsuced by onehalf with no exemptions. The tax was fair but the amount was was too great, said Councillor W. M. Luxford who considered that a tax of 2d with no exemptions would be more equitable. If pressure were brought to bear on the Government it would see that the amount was preposterous. Already there was the tyre tax and the revenue from registration, and the speaker considered that these moneys should be kept in separate accounts and balance-sheets should be issued every year to let the people see how much had been collected and what the cost of administration had been. It was only fair that the people of the Dominion should know this.

The Mayor (Mr W. J. Rogers): If you would support some of us who have allegedly advanced ideas, you would have a sharply graduated tax on land. Better roads will build up enormous values in land and you fortunate people with cars will assist these values.

“You can’t have your cake and eat it, too,” said Councillor W. M. Falconer. “On the one hand? we urge the Highway Board to complete the Parapara Road and we can’t expect them to do what we ask without funds-”

The resolution was passed, the Mayor, Councillors C. W. Poynfror, J. Siddells, apd Falconer dissenting.