N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 17, 18 September 1915, Page 3

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The Executive, met at Hawera on Thursday. Present: Messrs' R. Dunn (president), R. Lainbie, E- Jluxwell, J. 8. Barrow, A. Hunter, A. E. M. Washer, F. Mills, S. Norris, aud H. H. Buxton. ... , , i TAXATION FOR WAR PURPOSES. The Auckland Executive forwarded copies of resolutions which it had passed on some of tlie proposals in the Budget lor raising revenue lor war purposes, some of which proposals it objected to. It was resolved to inform the Auckland Executive that this Executive adheres to the resolution of the last provincial conference, and ''that this conference is of opinion that in order to distribute the war tax fairly a percentage increase on the present sources of taxation would meet the case." This the executive considered would be the simplest and most equitable, and would be the cheapest method of raising revenue. Mr Maxwell referred to the return laid on the table of the House by the Finance Minister, when introducing his Budget, drawing comparisons oetweeu town and -country taxation as misleading, inasmuch as it endeavored, to show that the country .people were not paying the proportionate amount of taxation-with the, towns people. There was no relative value, said Mr Maxwell, between the townsman's laud ajfcd his income, neither was there, any., relation of the farmer's laud to his income. Mr Dunn moved: "That this executive disapproves of-'the'action of Sir Joseph Ward in drawing misleading comparisons between the taxation in town and country." Mr Maxwell seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Dominion Conference forward* ed a resolution as follows: "That the various K> executives of the union be asked by this conference each to set up a committee to act with, the Labor Department and Public Works Department, and any other body of men who are interested in the supply of , labor for the next harvest; that in the grain-growing districts a census of the required labor be taken and a meeting of .'.officers of the departments and representatives of the various committees be called to ascertain as well as possible whether the supply of. labor will be sufficient. If not. to make suggestions to the Minister a« to the partial stoppage of pub'ic works so as to free the.labor engaged for, harvesting, and to open a register for names of those in-town who are willing to assist." The executive resolved that whilst I appreciating- the.action of the Board of Agriculture and the Labor Department in supporting the proposal this executive considers .that. .as. this isl not a grain growing district, ~the' anvounti of extra work required would not warrant interfering with.other industries, and works. '. ~■■ ' < i .>;lt was resolved to. forego levies on talh members, of the union, who, are with the .expeditionary .force. «t \o t y()}i i •<<-• 'l3bt question) of the tax* on kerosene ■and' benzine came up for discussion. •and? , 'oii-tliU' motion; ofi'Mr, Duun r seconded by Mr Washer.' it, was; resolved that ile the opinion of Uhis : executive the proposed tax on kerosene and benzine is altogether too great an j in- ' crease;, more especially' as/ these ! artiare closely related to production, and would ask.tjie-Government to reconsider the >-