A Complaint from Malay.
Page 2
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We have before us a letter from a correspondent in the Federated Malay States with regard to the excessive taxation which motorbuses have to bear in that Colony. He tells us that the position is the same in the Straits Settlements. It appears that several bus-operating companies have already been forced to go into liquidation, and we understand that the attitude of the Government, in maintaining the taxation which is explained in the letter which we proceed to quote, has had the effect of practically stopping the import of further motorbuses during the past two years. It indeed looks as though this treatment were calculated to kill the traffic.
We extract from the letter :— ." The bus-hiring business for some time back has been in a state of decline, and we are of opinion that it cannot survive in competition with touring cars, at any rate as long as the present Government tax exists, as also the high price of petrol. The Government. tax is $24.00 per seat per annum, and, if we take a 30-seater, for instance, this works out at $720 per annum, or equal to £84 per bus. Government are adamant on the subject, and refuse to move in the matter, their idea, it is supposed, being to kill the business, which they undoubtedly dislike owing to the damage done to roads."
The last occasion when we had an . appeal from Overseas to redress. a grievance was in connection with the wrong classification of steam wagons by the Australian Commonwealth. We are now taking up the matter of this motorbus tax in the Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements, with every hope that the addition of our influence to others which are at work may have the desired result. Middlesex methods would appear to have been adopted, but the resulting suppression of transport, must prove an economic disaster to any community or country.