MAUKU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 245, 26 January 1917, Page 3

MAUKU.

FARMERS' UNION MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Mauku Branch of the Farmers' Union was held in the Patumahoe Hall last week, the President, Mr R. W. Johns occupying the chair. MILITARY SERVICE. Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed by members regarding the treatment being meted out to farmers by the butter-fat tax and by the indiscriminate calling up of men for military duty. Members unanimously agreed that farmers should pay their fair share of war taxation but they were strongly opposed to any class tax. All were also agreed that no shirking of military duties should be tolerated on any consideration. It was nevertheless pointed out that under the present system some families had been wholly depleted whilst others had been able to totally evade all duties. Mr J. Henry sa'd he considered farmers were being treated exceptionally harshly in comparison to other trades He contended that if trie Government were going to curtail the prices of farmers' produce they should also adjust the prices of the

goods thatthe farmer required. Under the present system, said Mr Henry, farmers were doubly and trebly taxed.

It was proposed by Mr Henry and seconded by Mr Johns and carried unanimously : " That this Branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union urges upon the Executive and all Farmers' Dnion Branches to again protest and to continue to protest till justice is done against, such a class tax as a butter-fat tax which could rightly be termed an abortive economic experiment by the Board of Trade, and further that whilst insisting that our full quota of men be tept up for the front some endeavour should be made to ensure the carrying on of essential industries for the prosecution of the war and the primary requirements of the couatry. RESIGNATION. Mr H. E R. L. Wily tendered his resignation, which was accepted. A FAREWELL SOCIAL. It was unanimously resolved that a farewell be tendered to Mr W. Somerville (vice-president of the branch) when on his final leave from camp. A proposal to the effect that the farewell take the form of a euchre party and dance was accepted, arrangements for the carrying out of such being left in the hands of Messrs R. W. Johns and H. Melville Crispe. WAIUKU RAILWAY. The secretary reported having interviewed the traffic manager and Mr Murray of the Public Works Department regarding the carrying of farmers' goods over that portion of the Waiuku line on which rails are laid. Mr Murray stated that as soon as the second lift was completed in a few weeks his department would be prepared to convey a certain amount of goods ,and produce either way so long as the quantity would not interfere in any way with the construction of the line.