PETROL TAX

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19994, 10 November 1927, Page 6

PETROL TAX

MOTORISTS’ OPINION - REGISTRATION AND LICENSE TAXES CRITICISED The proposed levying of a petrol tax of 4d a gallon was the subject Of comment last night at the executive meeting of the Wanganui Automobile Association. The proposal has been criticised freely throughout New Zealand, and the consensus of opinion seems to be that the tax is too high. The Association in this city, however, last night were practically unanimous in favouring the tax, with the proviso that other taxes deemed unnecessary by the local body be abolished. Mr G. V. Pearce described himself as being surprised that none of the motor bodies had suggested that the registration fee —in his opinion an unfair tax —should be done away with. With the continual charge of numbers, motorists were unnecessarily inconvenienced. ‘ ‘ They send away to America to get the plates made —it’s an absolute waste,” declared Mr Pearce. Mr T. H. Rice remarked that when the duty was put on tyres it was a remarkable thing that tyres were reduced in price. He considered that the Association should advocate one straightout tax —that for benzine used.

After further discussion, Mr Pearce moved the following resolution:— “That this Association favours the tax on motor spirit, but urges the Government to do away with registration and license fees as being unfair taxes.” It was pointed out by Mr F. J. Hill that the license tax had been made with the consent of motorists, and he moved the following amendment: — “That this Association is of opinion that the petrol tax of 4d is too high arid that 2d is quite sufficient to levy.”

Mr J. R. Franklin maintained that motorists were entitled to cut out the other taxes now they were faced with an extra tax.

Further discussion ensued. Mr Pearce’s motion being ultimately carried, and it was resolved to forward a copy of it to the New Zealand Motor Conference in Wellington with the recommendation to place it before the Minister.