FARMERS CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1142, 1 June 1911, Page 8

FARMERS CONFERENCE

AT WOODVILLE. SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. • The annual conference of the Wollington branches of the New Zealand I'arhie.rs' Union was concluded at W'ocdville yesterday. Mr. J. G. Wilson presided. Officers Elected. The election of an executive and of delegates to the Dominion Conference was held. The complete list of officers now i.-: —President, .Mr. J. U. Wilson (Bulls); vice-president, Mr. \\'. B. Matheson (Eketahuna); treasurer, Mr. \V. J. Birch (Marton);. executive, Messrs. H. Booth (Feilding), J. Balsillie (Palmerston North), Ewen Campbell (Wanganui), J. H. Escott OJoodville), K. W. Dalrymplc (Marton), Alex. Howie (Waverley), !•'. F. Hockly (Huntorville), B. W. Matheson (Eketahuna), John Morrison (Halcombe), Hugh Morrison (Mastertou), T. Moss (Eketahuna), T. Quirke (Pahiatua), and Captain Hewitt (Palmerston North); delegates to Provincial Conference, Messrs. E. Campbell (Wanganui) and H. A. Nevins (To Nui). Taxation. Levin moved:—"That the present system of taxing farmers on the so-called unimproved value of their farms be abolished; that farmers should pay (ax on their income from land in the sa'me proportion as money invested in other industries is taxed; the farmer's income to be calculated at 5 jier cent, on the capital value of their holdings after deducting encumbrances in the shape of mortgages and debts." Messrs. Matheson and Nevins supported the motion. Mr. Hockiy proposed as an amendment that the clause reading, "a farmer's income to be calculated," etc., should be deleted. Ho was opposed to the present land tax, because it was a class tax. The, .amendment .was carried, but the 'amended motion was subsequently lost. Local Government Bill. It was resolved that the conference urge on the Government the need of passing the long-delayed Local Government Bill. ' Mr. Hockiy: Sir Joseph Ward made a distinct promise that, (luring the recess, he would circulate the Local Government Bill, and that promise has not been carried out. Other Business. \ It' was resolved: "That the registration of dogs should bo in the hands of local bodies only; tho present divided control between tho local body and the Maori Council being detrimental to tho proper registration of the dogs." On the casting vote of tho president it was resolved: "That this branch considers that no further legislation should be passed in connection with labour matters, the present harassing of industry requiring a halt." It was resolved on the motion of Messrs. Balsillie (Palmerston North) and W. J. Birch (Marton) to hold tho next conference at Palmerston North. Fire Insurance, Matters dealing with tho Mutual Fire Insurance Association were considered in committee, and a report was afterwards made to tho meeting in the form of the fifth annual report and balance-sheet. Tho report congratulated members en the satisfactory state of the finances. The new business in the year amounted to £?3,831, of which .£910") represented increased risks on existing policies. Tne total insurance now amounted to ,£164,240, of which .£13,125 was reinsured. The net. risks held were J3151.H5 and the total policy-holders 5G7. Tho face value of the pieniium fund after deducting all payments and renewals thereon amounted io .C 6709 Bs. lid. There had not been a single call during the year. The claims paid in tho five years totalled «£713 — 1905-6, ,£75; 1906-7, .£9O; 1907-8, JM3S- - £1; 1909-10, .£112; 1910-11, nil. The fixed payments on premiums during tho year were .£309 18s. 3d. The management expenses amounted to .£2BO 3s. lid. The credit balance to March 31 was .£ll4O Ins 4d. of which 421000 was on fixed deposit. The credit balance of the profit and loss account for the year showed .£463 9s. Cd. The further reduction of the rate was' being considered. Tho matter of reducing butter and cheese, factories, now at, 20s. per cent, was considered and Uio rate had been reduced by 10 per cent.