Farmers' Union Conference

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 July 1916, Page 3

Farmers' Union Conference

I Wellington, bast .Night, Tile i' armors' Ciiioii lias adopted the following r^uiite: — j Tliat native lauds which beneiit from tho expenditure of local 'rates or Government grants, whether tho titles are individualised or hefcl in common, should be placed; on the same footing lis regards such rates as land lield by -Europeans. That town members of land boards be paid for attendance at meetings the same as country members. That this conference protests against land owners being singled out to pay tho greated part of wnr taxation. the present war taxation "being tantamount to a class tax, and this conference considers any taxation for itar purposes should bo equitable and should bear equally on ail classes ot tho community. Other remits adopted were: — From Otago.—That this conference protests against any embargo on tho export of produce or imposition of oxport duties.

From North Ca.ntorbury.—That the Government be asked to increase taxation on luxuries and amusements. That the conference favours a system of taxing incomes as being the fairest way of reaching war profits fi'Am the laud and. mil other sources.

From Peloriis.—That this conference affirms the principle that New Zealand should assist materially in the naval defence of the Empire in providing ship-; and men in lieu of naval subsidy From Auckland.—That this conference urge upon the Government the advisableness of putting into operation the compulsory military service bill forthwith, the committee in each district to decide who shalt go to the front and who shall remain to carry on the work of production.

Sir James Wilson, president, referred to the fact that when conscription was enacted in the United States during the Civil War the result was very curious. The first levy waS unsuccessful and disappointing, but it increased enormously the number of volunteer?;. It would be a mistake to do away with the voluntary system even if conscription was brought into force.

Mr. H. T>. Vavasour (Marlborough) considered it was a question whether New Xea In nd was not sending more men than she could afford to lose l'rom the work of production. Ail English newspaper had said that the best- service New Zealand could do wns to keep on producing rather than to send more men. He moved that the following words lie added to the motion : "That the time has arrived when the Government should consider carefully the advisablencss of the curtailing and Milling up of future contingents, with a view of keeping up the primary industries of the country.' This was rejected.