TAXATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1921, Page 1

TAXATION.

DISCUSSED BY FARMERS’ UNION

WELLINGTON, Julv 2G

Various remits dealing with taxation were brought forward at the Farmers’ Union Conference.

Captain Colbeek (Auckland) opened tlic. discussion by moving: “That the Government be urged to abolish the supertax on land, as it is considered an unjust charge, and was to have been abolished six mouths sifter the war.” Captain Colbeek said that taxation was very heavy. Companies and farmers were both feeling the burden. Companies were paying 8s Od. Sir James Wilson: The land tax is 10s.

•Captain Colbeek: Yes, but companies pay land tax in addition. Their taxes amount to 19s lOd. The thing to do was to call on tho Government to reduce its annual appropriations and to reduce the number of persons employed in -the Civil Service.

Mr Hugh Morrison (Masterton) said that the Government was under almost an obligation to take oil the supertax. It was a pyomis*. Mr IT. 11. S. Ryder (Masterton): it is a class tax.

Mr G. *Sheat (Dunsandel) said that his ttix hill had grown from £9O to £12!). This he had to pay, notwithstanding that, he had made a loss of £l5O on tlu> year’s working. Me had to consider that this kind ol tiling was part of the price of liberty. He would sooner pay than he under German title. More could not he got from companies. Tliev wore broken now.

Mr J. 11. .Toll (Havelock North) said that what had to he considered was the position of primary products. Wby wer»» farmers in their present position I Because they had allowed wealthy combines to come in and do what should never have boon allowed. Finally Mr W. J. Poison (Fordell) moved : “That the Government lie asked to review taxation, with tlit* lollowing objects:—(l) Abolition of supertax on land. (2) Reduction a s far as possible of income tax on farmers’ incomes.”

Captain Colbeek dubbed the amendment of Mr Poison as impossible.

'Mr A. G. Harding (Maiigawharo) hoped that- the amendment would he defeated. It would brand farmers as utterly selfish, that they wanted their own taxation reduced and no one else’s. Let them say to the Government, “Fixation must be reduced; we leave the method to you.”

Mr C. K. MM Ison (Piopio) said ho had often wondered why 1 armors were so unpopular. The discussion provided the answer. The man m the city with tt big family must feel the pinch very severely, hut lie was not asking that he should he relieved to the extent the fanner was.

Mr Poison’s amendment was defeated and the original remit moved by Captain Colbeek earned.

Tt was also resolved: “That this conference requests the Government to take off the 50 per rent- supertax on land.”