NO TAX REFUND

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21525, 13 September 1941, Page 9

NO TAX REFUND

PETROL FOR HOME GUARD (Special to Times.) OTOROHANGA, Friday “Since the E.P.S. and Home Guard have been operating, the council has supplied free to both these organisations a total of 718 gallons of petrol to the value of £90,” said the engineer, Mr B. McKenzie, in a report to the Otorohanga County Council. “Although it was felt that this should have been the responsibility of the Government, the council undertook the burden in order to give both movements every encouragement. “When application was made for a refund of the petrol tax of lOd per gallon, the reqest was refused, the reply being that the registrar was not empowered to make a refund except in respect of motor spirits used for purposes other than as fuel for a motor vehicle. “It thus appears that, for the privilege of supplying the Home Guard with free petrol (a responsibility of the Government), the council has to contribute to the Government £3O in taxation. While it is probably true that no authority exists whereby a refund could be made, it is also true that the Government has frequently committed acts which were not allowed by the law and then corrected the position later by passing the necessary legislation.” The chairman said he thought the council should pursue the matter further. Mr Jamieson’s motion that this be done was carried.