COMMERCIAL MOTOR
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Recognized in Business and Military Circles as the Leading Journal.
The Authority on all forms of Motor Transport.
Largest Circulation.
Conducted by EDMUND DANGERFIELD.
vol. xxir. No. 571, Editor: EDWARD S. SHRAPNELL-SMITH.
Why Not Claim Your Petrol Rebates ?
It is not altogether a consoling reflecton—it is certainly an astonishing one, at a time when we are looking • forward to business conditions more strenuous than ever, to find upon inquiry, since our writing on this subject last week, that quite an appreciable number of the smaller users of commercial vehicles neglects to take the trouble to claim the rebate to which they are entitled upon all petrol egitimately consumed by their engines whilst operating in the "conveyance of any goods or burden in the cause of trade. or husbandry," or as the power unit of ." motoreab, motor Omnibus or other vehicle being a hackney carriage while it is standing or plying. for hire." Such users are entitled to an "allowance • or repayment '.' .equal to half the amount of .the. duty. actually paid; and this drawback is, of course, at present, threepence. It is the owner of an individual machine who is fhe " slacker " we have in mind. Big users purchase under contract in bond or haVe other adequate covering arrangements in force. We learn from the Editor of " The Motor Ship and Motor Boat," a sister journal, that many motor boat .owners, Who have even more at stake, as they can recover the whole. of the tax; are no less remarkable in their neglect.It cannot be that excess • of patriotism • prompts such individuals to swell the country's revenue in this way unasked. It is purely neglect and the desire to avoid the slight trouble involved. The rebate is one of moment and will at least amount to 125 a year in the case of a three-tonner on easy work. The greatest neglect is on wayside purchases.
The curious situation that has recently arisen in connection with the quoted prices of the principal spirit distributors is disconcerting and not readily to be understood. Although the Shell organization has now announced publicly its intention to adhere to the prices quoted before the last advance of 4d. per gallon on thepart of the Anglo-American Co., agents and local distributors are widely charging the increase on all brands irrespectively. Shell supplies, it is notified, are 'to be maintained at a minimum of 33 per cent. of the :custornary quantities, and this in itself will necessarily be the cause of many rearrangements on the part of users. Only those commercial users who arc enjoying the benefit of eonracts arranged some months ago are, in effect, free frorn the added uncertainty of the situation. There are rumours afloat that the Government is acquiescing in this upward movement in the hope that what there 'isloft of pleasure motoring will be considerably checked, but we. have no belief. that, that is fact. Suffice it to say that the slackness which has resulted in the neglect to claim the relief which the Government affords to genuine commercial consumers should most certainly now, of all.times,-come to an end. Economy of operation is more important than ever.
. The trouble involved is in reality insignificant. To assist those who may not find it convenient to obtain elsewhere the .necess.ary forms which will' certify that the, purchases are 'already dutypaid, we have made arrangements to supply at the nominal .charge of one shilling le hundred, post free; the-.small certificate sheetswhich we reproduce on. page 458 pf this issue. :Every purchase made, even of so small a quantity as. two gallons, should. be the occasion for the filling up of one of thein and at intervals of not less than a month the certificates should be forwarded to the local officer of Customs and Excise, With an application' for repayment of half the duty and a declaration, both on an official form (which we also reproduce on page 493 as anadditional reminder), signed in the presence Of an Excite official, stating the quantity of spirit for which. claim is made and the specific use to which it has been put,.
We repeat that it is remarkable that there has been any hesitancy in this matter. The official opportunities to save money are so few and we anticipate will be fewer as time goes on, that commercial slackness of this kind becomes inexcusable. We trust it need not be taken as evidence of other lack of business acumen.