THE FARMER'S BURDEN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2556, 2 September 1915, Page 6

THE FARMER'S BURDEN

HOW THE BUDGET HITS HIM. Mr. Thos.. Moss, of Newman, who is a member 1 of the Wellington Education Board, points out that whilst the farmer is prepared to> pay his . fair share of tho taxation, tho taxation proposals in the Budget hit the farmer in many ways that were not patent to everyone at first glance. Apart from the new income and mortgage taxes, and the increased graduated tax, tho farmer was going to be mado to feel tho burden in many ways. The railway fares, with the exception of workers', i.e., suburban residents' rates, were to be increased, so that the farmer who travelled about the country buying: and selling stock, etc., would pay, and more serious than, that, he would not only pay extra freight for all goods used on tho farm, but heavier freight rates wero to be charged on his wool, butter, cheese, etc. The tax on kerosene was also directed against the man on the land. In the cities and towns the people had gas or electric light, or both, but in the country a farmer had oither to instal his own gas plant or ,use kerosene ,as an illummant, and he invariably fell back on kerosene.. It was also used (do drivo his dairying and shearing machinery. So that,, taking it all round, tho farmer was to be penalised fairly heavily. Still, lie was in tlie average a patriot and' was not likely to make any great objection to whatever burden the St-ato may impose upon him.'

Sniff up Fluenzol for Catarrh.* An enjoyable smoke concert was held at the Working Men's Club last evening, "Mr. •T. Pogx!rs presiding. Items wore contributed by Me3srs, W. C. Blick, L. Astin, M'Consky, Houston, .Upcrnft, : Osborne] -Andcr'soii, -Henderson, ' Elliott; Atkin, Inks, Fitzgerald, and Warren. 'The''orchestra,, under Mr. Jl'Glashan, contributed fievm-al selections. The gathering concluded with the singing of tho National' Anthem.