NEW ORCHARD TAX

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 155, 21 September 1927, Page 12

NEW ORCHARD TAX

FIRE-BLIGHT PROTECTION FRUITGROWERS TO CONTROL (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. It appears that whatever assistance orchardists want in the way of removing fireblight and other pests, must come from their own organisations. This is indicated in the Orchard Tax Bill, which was introduced into the House of Representatives to-day by Governor-General’s Message. This measure re-enacts the original Act of 1916, but goes further in the way of imposing taxation. The original general orchard tax of one shilling an acre or part acre, for those orchards with 120 fruit trees and over, remains, but the minimum payment is raised from 2s 6d to ss. In addition to the general tax a special tax, not exceeding 5s an acre, is imposed on commercial orchards in certain districts, which are to be defined by the authorities. The residue of the general tax is to be handed to the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation for general expenditure on the industry, while the special tax is to be applied for administration by committees for the control of fireblight, and for expenses in cutting down hawthorn hedges. Mr. H. Atmore, Nelson, asked that the State should contribute half the compensation to the farmers in cases where the destruction of hawthorn hedges caused hardship. Such was done in respect to animals. The Hon. O. J. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture, said that animals affected, public health, hut fruit did not.

The bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Agricultural, Pastoral and Stock Committee.