The Mortgage Tax.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 130, 23 September 1913, Page 4

The Mortgage Tax.

I TO THE EDITOR, j Sir,—With reference to Mr J. W. McLarin'a letter in the "PukekohJ and Waiuku Tim a" newspaper ff the stti inst., 1 wish to make a short statement explanatory of the po ition taken up by the Farmers' Union in regard to the mortgage tax as at p;es.nt imposed by the statute law in New Zsaland. Before discussing tha wisdom cr unwisdom ot the mortgage tix, I desire to point out that Mr McLann has made a curious jumble up of the Farmers' Union, Mr Massey and the Reform Party, ard again tssert most positively that the Far me; s' Union absolutely disassociates itself from paity poliics and that the heading of the rules and platform of our Union is "Principle, not Party." To make this position quits clear 1 may state a few facts. First, there are members of our Union who support the Liberal party and have done bo for years. There are other members who support the Refoim party and a few who belong to the Labour party, but as to which party they like best or how members at election line cast their votes the Union does not enquire or concern i'.self, and party politics are barred at all meetings of the Unnn. ~ceond, I would remind our friends that after mature consideration and debate, the Farmers' Union of this province almost unanimously d.claed "that this Conference considers that (he timß nss come when the present parly system should be superseded by some form of government calculated to more truly carry into effect the views of the electors and tending to eliminate from the politics of this Dominion the many evils which have grown up around the 'party by stem.' and desire that a scheme of government by Elective Executive be drafted." I venture to commend this tuhject to the earnest consideration of iour readers, and refer them to the higtly successful working of the Elective. Executive in Switzerland. To return to question of the mortgage tex arid the action of our Union in regard to the same: Our EecJtive atrl delegates to Conference have time and again urged that trie tax in its present form be repealed, and as a main reason why it. is right ana politic to do so have adduced the same arguments quoted in Mr McLarln's latter, that it meant an indirect tax upin the bnrruwirg farmer. While the wise policy was to enable him to obtain cheap money to improve hi 3 iarm and increase the food production and export of the Dominion. It was also pointed out that the mode of collecting revenue as accomplished by the mortgage tax was not only impolitic, foi the reason above stated, but tlso cumbersome and foolish, because the object ccnld be much better attained by causing the mortgagee to account for all interest received by him as income ar.d be taxed, if neceesary, in that category. It is tiue that Mr Msssev and other members of the present Ministry have in the past declared that the mortgage tax stouli be abolished, and let us hope that they will at once, during the present session, set fabout doing so, but whether they do or tot let me assure Mr McLarin and all our friends that tha Farmers' Union are doing their utmost to have this matter attended to, and are sparing ro efforts to guard the interests of the whole farming community and increase their comtort and prosperity; that the Executive of the Union are doing gocd and strenuous work, and will continue to do so no matter what party are in power, and therefore confidently claim the support and the confidence and sym pathy of all farmers.—l am, etc., D. H. LUSK, Provincial President N.Z. Farmers' Union.

I TO THE EDITOR 1 Sir,—l am sorry that I am not sufficiently versed or interested in the mortgage tax question raised by Mr J. W. McLarin to reply to that pait of hh letter; this nil! probably be met by some qualified petsun. But when Mr McLarin questions whether the Faimers' Unicn has given up looking afier the interests of the farming community, it shows he hes evidently not kept hinnelf acquainted with the rmny reforms and assistance farmers have received from the Piovincial and Dominion Executives. 1 am posting him the report ot the 12th annuel Dominion Conference, which will show a few important matters that are being cealt with. I greatly reg;et that prominent and capable farmers like Mr McLarin, who have proved what can be done on sc-called poor lands, and who have made a pronounced success o! their work, do not belong to and attend the loc?l branch meetings. They coul i thereby give their surrounding farmers tbe benefit of their advice ad experiment', and a sist with their counsel on the numerous matters that r.e:d thoughtful and careful consideration. I can assure Mr McLarin fiat the soei 1 element that has been introduced by the Mauku branch has not alhwed business matters *o be obscuted and has been the means of keeping members together and sutstanti lly adding to our membership, whereby the Union* has got in touch with a much wider fit Id. I am sure if Mr McLarin will rome along and agree to represent our I ranch as dt legate to the next provincial conference his appointment would be welcomed and he would return with a much better opinion of the Farmers'^Union in general—l am, etc., MELVILL CRISPE, Secretary Mauku Branch F.U.