Federated Farmers' Remits

Chronicle (Levin), 30 August 1949, Page 6

Federated Farmers' Remits

Several remits affecting New Zealand's farming and iiidustrial economy were- considered and passed at the recent annual conference of Eederated Earmers in Wellington, aceording to a statement from the head office of the'. Federation. A delinite statement frdm th'e Government would be sought, it was agreed, asTo whether the Government intended- to continue its policy of land acquisition or whether it would honour the pl^dge it' ' inade/ when 'It supported . the Univef sal Declaration • df Human Rights, • T Two remits- concerning, unproductive • lands were carried. These were tliat j? the Government be urge'd tb concen- ; trate on, and hasten the-' bringing in 6 of, unproductive land provided that | the' land would make economie units; and that no fhlly-pfoduetive land . should be compulsor'ily ac4uired by the Crown for rehabilitation purposes ' until all prodifctive land was brought into production. A remit stating that -the basis of valuations for farms on the 1942 basis was out of touch with reality, and was retarding rehabilitation and- that urgent representations should be made , to aiter the basis of valuations; the differenee (if any) to be borne by the Btate, was carried. It was agreed that Federated Farmers should have the right to appoint a representative to the Land Settlement Board and the Rehabilitation Board. v Too much emphasis was being placed on the farmer's responsibility for production for the raaintenance of New j Zealand's social well-being and for aidto Britain, it. was agreed, and the conference pointed out that if other, seetions of the comnxunity Would be xireXxared to cooperate, a very great increase in production could be achieved with benefit to all the people of New Zealand. The conference recommended that the Government take appropri'ate action. The conference re-affirmed its complete support of converting the freezLng industry to a eooperative concern; this to be implemented when opportunity offered and if the farmers concerned desired it. The re-instatement of capital and corporal punishment was urged because of the "far too numerous cases oi murder and assault--crimes. " The system of criminal sentences should be reviewed, also. Because the present provisions for relief troin land tax were totally inadequate, the conference sought an aniend-4 ment to the . Land and Income Tax until sueh time as it was abolished to make provision for the remission of land tax in all cases where the taxpayer incurred a loss on the year's working, or where his income was unduly loW — say, ^300 a year. Full support was given to the Counties Asouoiatioh in its request for a poun& for pound subsidy on all rates spent on roads otnor than highwavs. Farmers on second-class land should be allowed some reduction in taxation for monevs spent on land improvemeni, it was decided. The questiojn of aequiTing heavy cars ( +f or, .farmers wa^ ivagain,i,43bait,q.4.1(MA a» remit" was' passed which stated that, since a heavy car was essential to most farmers, and the cars of many farmers cenees for suitable vehicles be issuea for sale to farmers. needed replacing, sufficient import liTlie conference emphasised the necessity for providing a suitable nuinbe'of Ftate houses in rural areas for the ' direct beneltt of the farming communitv. Fo "that dairy farmers might have a holiday with their children, it was urged that the winter school holidays be altered from May to June. Othef remits carried were: — The imperative need for more heavy American tractors; that all consumer subsides should be met from the Consolidated Fund and not at the expense of the primary producer; that the land tax be abolished since it has been replaced by recent legislation; that the pakeha population demand equality with the Maori race; that the radio broadeasting service of New Zealand should be frce from any form of party politica) eontrol; and that befcp-e the Public Works Department enter any property for the purpose of building any public utility the compensation to be paid should be agreed upon.