FARMERS IN CONFERENCE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 May 1916, Page 3

FARMERS IN CONFERENCE

♦ WELUX GTON I'ROVLXOI AiL BRANCH, N.Z. FARiMERa> UiNKXN In Levin, this morning, t-he annua conference is oeing held of farmers delegates representing the various WeJ iington provincial brandies of the iNw /.ealand' Farmers' Union. Delegates aro present as follow Makara, S. Bryant; Waiin&rino, J Morton; Hunterville, A. G. Simpson Makuri, W. J. Moore; Wanganui, A Robinson and J. Allinson; Pohangina A. J. Oranvliay; Shannon, Alex Saund ers; .Levin, W. il. Becher, ~S. A Bruadbelt; Kumaroa, J. D R'Uimscien; Marton, A. Stuart and \V. Ji. Simpson; i'on garoa, A. Dickens; i'amparaurnu, G P. Lynch; Niioaha, Alex i'ryde; Eke taii-una, W. A. Gittadini; Hukanuf W. J. Smith; Miangaweltfa, J. W Stuckey; AVaikanae-, J. A. Austin; I'almeiston North, J. A. MactDeajvej and L). .Thomas; i'ahautanui, J. Barcajj ; Pahiatua, X. Small, junr.; Rangiwania, C. Mdntyro; Masterton, William Terry and' u. Hebenton; Gladstone, S. C. Broadbent; Cartertoif, E. Eagle, junr.; Foatherston, W. B. Sadler; iVlartinborougl'i, A. Day«h; Rongatea, H. H. Hunt and. J. Gloyne; Feilding, J. H. Perrett and D. McElroy; Tenui, "VV. Uouglas; "Waverley, H. Middiston;. Greytown, L. TRonip; son; Ballance, G. Olsen. The provincial union representatives aro Messrs T. Moss, U. h. Marshall, W. o. Biroh, J. Balsiliie, H. Booth, E. Campbell, K. W. Dalrymple, A. Howie, H. Morison, H. A- Xevdns,,. A. Robinson, H. J. Richards. The provincial president (Mr M f. Moss, of Eketahunaj addressed the delegates. Commenting upon the weather with which the conference, was favoured, Mr Moss reca-iled that when the conference mot in Levin eight ur nine years ago tlie rainfiali had been phenomenally great; but he understood there had been fine weather in the interval. -He regretted for the cake ot delegates that to-day's weather conditions were damp, but having regard to t'ho dry summer oondlitions they nod passed through the district settlers were to ho congratulated. In passing reference to the itoaation of a State Experimental Farm at Levin, Mr Moss said it could be made an exceedingly useful asset to the district and province. In regard to labour troubles, he warned the delegates that they must be alert to combat the lawless element that had been apparent during late years. There w:as, he was pleased to acknowledge, a different element of labour also; hut the lawless one must be combat ted; it was against voluntaryism, against compulsion, against police intervention, against fair service altogether. The man who abjected to the police (Mr Moss thought) generally objected Tjeoaase his character would not stand investigation. TAXATION OF TOTALISA-

TOR. I'he conference unanimously carried the following resolution, submit ted by the executive:—That the conference express its loyal support to the National Government m this time of national crista, and in the event of further necessary taxatoai proposals, wouid ask that the equality of sacrifice by' all HootioiiK of the community be kept in view: the farmers being quite willing to bear .their fair share in "such sacrifice. Shannon branch moved :—That the Government, ii levying more taxes, be urged to levy a tax on ail ticket® of theatres, piotuie .snow*, totalisator, and also on beer and spirits. Jhe romit evoked discussion that was not wlioly commendatory, though several delegates supported tlie remit in unmeasured tenme. Mr R binson said it was impossible to fight out the war on the racecourse or at the picture shows; he thought those who were engaged! in the general pursuit oi racing, in discussing the odtls, were traitors to their country. He himself was a member of a racing club; he paid! his subscription--, regularly; but bo had 110 sympathy at present with racing. He frequently saw in W.ll- - men of military age standing discussing the oddls at street corners when they should be in the trenches. Another delegate said tha.t this present war was not merely between England' and Germany; it was between "God and) the devil." It should be prosecuted vigorously, nnd tfieie eKould be no hesitation in taxing: ail who Could bear it. Mr Perry thought the remit should fee thrown out; if for no other reason, then for the reason thait the farmers who objected to the cries of "tax tlie farmers' land" should hesitate to call out "tax the totalizator." Mr Dickinson (Pongaroi), who said he had am interest in a picture show, expressed himself in favour of the tax. The chief speech against the proposal was delivered by Mr H. Campi'mS, of Wanganui. He said the proposal was one to delprive tflie Government of about £.200,000 a year. There were • ots who folio we'll racing who were not lit for much else. The racing clubs were anxious to do t.heir best to help forward the patriotic movement; thev were just rs loyal, just as generous. Tens 01 thousands ot pounds sterling wore contributed to the levenue ' ("through tilie totalKsator) by people who otherwise would not pay a penny towards any patriotic purpose. Personally he never had had/ a ticket on the totalisator in his lite, but he whs right against the remit nnd he moved that the word "totajinntor" 'he struck out.

Mr Moss (president) expressed hi view that "in- order to get the stain] of horse that was lit for racing it wa necessary also to 'breed a class ot boj andi man that was no good at the wa: • and no good on the farm." Mr OampbeVl's amendment was loar 1 on the voices. ' Mr Broadbent then moved as a fur- _ ther amendment, that the words "anc < on all war profits" bo substituted foi tlie word« "totalisator and picture shows.'' He gave his view that nc patriotic farmer (should object to this amendment. The amendment struck an icy audience, and eventually it was seconded pro foima iby the president, who said it would be_a pity to let such a subject pass undiscussedl. He said tlie farmer already was paying heavy taxes (in railway hnu'iuge, for instance) apart trom ordinary taxes. He was quite prepared to leave to the Government the whole subject of taxation; when tne taxes came the fanners would, carry their load with the rest. Mr Robinson was against tlie amendment, chiefly for the reason that anvono who talked about "taxing war profits" <iid not know what ho was talking about. Mr Broad-bent's amendment was lost on the voices, after which Mr Robinson. moved: "That this conference, whilst generality approving the principle ot the Shannon remit, expresses its opinion that it is no part of the conference's dluty to tell tlie Government how or in what way taxation should be levied." Mr Nivens deprecated the proposal to tax amusement*?; there was so much sorrow and misery in the world to-day that anything that brightened the people's lives should be encouraged. Tlie amendment was carried 'by 32 votes to 9.