COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1920, Page 1

COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, July 7

At to-day’s sitting of the Council of Agriculture Mr E. Young (Gore) fiioved : “That the same amount of depreciation bo allowed os a deduction from income assessment to farmers and to business people, irrespective of whether a /farmer keeps proper books or not; and that the basis of depreciation lie the*value of.all improvements a.s under the Valuation Department.” The mover pointed out that depreciation was only allowed if books were kept by double entry, and it was practically a fine on farmers. There was not one farmer in a thousand who keeps hooks, that would satisfy the authorities. In comparison with the business.* man, the* depreciation was very much greater with the farmers specially in regard to fencing. The farmer had neither time nor business ability to indulge in an elaborate system of book-keeping. Sir .Tames Wilson questioned whether the income tax on farmers was intended to he permanent imposition. Tt was merely imposed to tide the country over the war. He feared that ; f this remit was carried it.would tend to indicate, to the. Government that the farmers were satisfied that the tax should remain a permanent one Sir Walter Buchanan was of the opinion that neither the conference nor the farmers generally were going lo ask the Government at this juncture to remit any war taxation. The conference would, however, be entirely : n the right in pointing out to the Government that in nityiy case the incidence taxation as levied, was not a fair one. After fu.rther discussion the remit was adopted. An addition was made of* the words:—“During the operation ot the Farmer Income Tax as a war tax, holding that it was not fair to require the farmer to pay taxes on his mortgages on which he in any case had to pay interest.”

The Taranaki delegate moved the following remit:—“That the Government l>o urged to amend the- legislation regarding taxation to ensure the taxpayer is not taxed on his mortgage debts. The remit was carried. NEW MARKETS SOUGHT.

The necessity for opening of new markets for New Zealand produce, with particular reference to America, was urged during a brief discussion on the following remit, which was unanimously adopted:—“That owing to the world shortage of foodstuffs, the Government he asked to allow the fresh exchange of all produce, on the ground that the wheat .growers are npt_adequately ed.” The conference affirmed a remit from Ellesmere : —“That o better represent a tion he given to the A. and P. Associations’ when conferences were arranged between the Government and those representing the different forming interests.

The conference will sit again to-mor-row.

A(i RIOU |HU RAL EDUCATION

WELLINGTON, July 7.

A strong plea for the adoption of a hotter system of agricultural education in the Dominion was made bv Mr J. D. Hall, of Hororata, at to-day’s sitting of the Council of Agriculture. He was speaking to a, recommendation from the Hoard of Agriculture which was couched in the following terms:—“The Board views with satisfaction the cordial co-operation that exists between the tlitlucation Department and the Agriculture Department in Agriculture education as shown by the success of the short farmers’ courses carried out by officers connected with both departments at Ruakura, and urges that these classes should be established wherever possible. If ait experimental farm is not available nxrangcmenv. might be made to hold such classes at the farms of some well known farmer where accommodation for those attending could be obtained nearby.” Mr Hall said that during liis trip through America., he had realised that New Zealand was absolutely now even in the “also started class” in the matter of agricultural education compared with the various States of the American Union. In one small town in Oregon which State was much smaller than New Zealand, ho found a college of agricultural Education, with 4,000 students, undergoing most comprehensive training .

The Director-General of Agriculture (Dr C. J. ReakesO said that doubtless there was a very great deal to be done in the matter. The difficulty in the past was to .get hold of men of the right type to act as instructors and advisors to farmers. Inquiries were being made outside New Zealand and the Department might thus get hold of a few good men. The recommendation was unanimously adopted, along with other suggestions from the Board, as follows: “Tho Board, having watched the good work of field instructors connected with the Agricultural Department, is of opinion that their number should cither be Increased, or assistants should be appointed, so that the experiments or demonstrations could be greatly increased in number, covering farm operations in various districts. “That where possible farm schools should be established. “That the Board desires to impress upon the Minister the great need of a fully equipped agricultural College, with sufficient land connected with it for all necessary requirements and urges that immediate steps be taken to utilise flic money so patriotically bequea thed to the State by the late .Mr Joseph Howard to provide such a coliego. The district Committtees representing tho' A. and P. Associations’ and

County Councils to act in conjunction with the agricultural instructors of both the Departments of Agriculture and Board of Education to work up tlio interest in agricultural education generally; those Committees to average practical, experiments to demonstrate the best use of various measures and time. The Council decided to forward >'n above ocomniendations to the Minister of Agriculture. It was further decided to ask the various A and P. Associations to sot up the above mentioned district committees of Farmers to work with and assist the Government officials connected with ' experimental and demonstrative work.