BLEEDING THE FARMER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 198, 31 December 1941, Page 6

BLEEDING THE FARMER

BASIS OF TAXATION AUCKLAND UNION FIGHTS ON That many farmers are in ignorance of the essential facts underlying the latest legislation of the Government in regard to the basis of taxation was evidenced at last Executive meeting of the Auckland Farmers' Union, when a member reported upon a discussion that had taken place recently at the Franklin Sub. Provincial meeting in Pukekohe. From his report it became quite evident that the purport of Clause 25 in the 1940 Finance Bill had been misunderstood. That there was misunderstanding at the Franklin meeting Avas not surprising in view of the fact that Mr A. C. A. Sexton, in recent interviews in "Wellington with the Prime Minister find other members oi the Cabinet on behalf of the Union, discovered that they, too, were in ignorance of the real effect of Clause 25. The Minister of Finance, declared Mr Sexton, bad studiously asserted, io season and out of season, that this clause had been inserted in the Finance ]3ill in order to ensure relief to some farmers, Avhereas in tictual facts its effect was precisely the reverse, for it blocked the Union from its efforts to compel the Commissioner of Taxes to state a ease' in the Supreme Court. The whole subject was luU\ discussed, members being unanimous that the Union should continue its fight against the present injustice. It was pointed out by Mu* Sexton that the chief objective now was to obtain for farmers the right to have their valuations for social security lax purposes as at March ?>) next based on current market values without incurring any extra taxation. Mr Sexton was authorised to continue his efforts on behalf of the Union.