FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1930, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION

SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS,

Hy Telegraph—Per Pre»9 Association.)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 5.

A representative meeting of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Sheep Owners’ Federation, and Counties’ Association discussed the taxation proposals. Mr Poison presided. He said that, they were profoundly dissatisfied with the taxation proposals. The position of the country desperately needed measures of economy. We had to get hack to prewar methods instead of carrying on with post war methods. The Budget might have,been practically nearly balanced with the exercise of more economies with practically no increase in taxation at all. If increase were necessarv it should he on luxuries.

Mr Jessep (Gisborne) thought they should at least congratulate the Premier on his boldness. It would have been easy to suggest a loan. Among many speakers, Mr J. H. Joll (Hawke’s Bay I said there was only one thing to do, that was to cut down the expense of running the countiy. Mr Poison said that farm prices were just about down to pre-war level, but costs were 70 per cent, above. It was resolved that this meeting approves of the. suggested economies in railways and defence services. The following resolutions were carried : “That this meeting is emphatically of the opinion that the Dominion’s financial position calls for immediate public economy.” “That this meeting strongly protests against the continuance of customs duties on necessities of life and means of production, believing the only real remedy is greater production through a lower level of costs.” “That this meeting expresses snti«i' .ction at the withdrawal by the’Premier of the super-tax on land imposed last year.” “That this meeting unanimously supports the imposition of income tax in lieu of land tax.” “That this meeting considers that if additional taxation is required, more revenue shoo’d be obtained by increasing taxation on luxuries.” “That the time has arrived when the users of roads should construct and •>v> : r + nio them.” “That thi« meeting approves of the proposed increased tax oil petrol, provided that the'proceeds of such' taxation are used for relieving the burden of rates in the maintenance and formation of roads, and not for directly or indirectly relieving the. Consolidated Fund.’’ “That this meeting. asks the Premier to appoint a Select Committee, first to make careful investigations into the important matter of the derating of the agricultural and pastoral lands, as in other countries ; and, second, to consider the advisability of exempting all farm lands in the Dominion from rates for reading purposes.” “That, .as, in the opinion of this meeting, the restriction on industry arising from the operation of the Arbitration Act is one of the prime causes of unemployment, the Government he again urged to put into legislative effect the employers’ recommendations following on the Industrial Conference of 1928” It was decided that recommendations he made to the Premier to-day on the foregoing matters.