FARMERS AND TAXATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1915, Page 3

FARMERS AND TAXATION.

THE NEW SYSTEM. A . special meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held on Saturday afternoon, and other farmers were present by invitation. Those present were:— Executive: Messrs K, Dunn (president), ,1. Swindlehurst, 11. H. Buxton, A. E. Washer, J. S. Barrow, F. Hills, A. Hunter, H. Ilodge, R. Lambie, S. Norris. Visitors: Messrs G. V. Pearce, M.P., J. N. Gamlin (Kaupokonnij, .1. Walker (Wavorlcy), J. Prestige (Matapu), H. Dickie (Waverley), M. .1. Goodson and A. Mitchell (Ha- 1 wera). The president said he would ask the vice-president to explain why the meeting had been convened, as it was Mr. Washer who had requested him to call the meeting. Mr. Washer explained iliat tlie meeting had come about through an informal gathering of farmers at the Hawera Show. The farmers felt that the questions contained in the new income tax forms were drastic, and were such that the majority of farmers could not answer; in fart, the form was very difficult for fanners to fill in accurately, and the informal meeting thought that the executive of the Farmers' Union should be called together to discuss the matter, and, if necessary, to protest against being asked to fill in so difficult a return. Mr. G. V. Pearce, M.P., who was received with applause, said that a number of farmers had approached him on the 'Hawera show ground in regard to the new income tax returns, pointing out that they could not understand the form which they were required to fill in. He had endeavored to explain the position, but he might say plainly that the Department were asking the farmers to do an impossibility, because Ihe large majority of the farmers would b« unable to make up the returns correctly. In schedule B in the form to bo filled up farmers were required to give a statement as to the number and value of stock on hand as at April 1, 1914, a year and eight months ago; now, to ask farmers to supply this information, when the mapority never kept books, was to ask them to do an impossibility. Mr. Newton King had told liiin many farmers were coming to him because they were unable to make up the returns, and lie (Mr. Pearce) suggested that it would be a good thing for the Taranaki Provincial Executive, as representing the farmers, to take action in the matter. The Executive was the proper organisation to express the opinions of the farmers, and as farmers would be penalised pretty heavily if they filled up the forms incorrectly, he would suggest that the meeting should telegraph to the Prime Minister protesting against having to fill in the present form, which probably 09 oat of 100 would never fill in absolutely correctly. But it would bo better still if tlie Executive sent a deputation to Wellington to

interview the Frime Minister. It was a great pity that the farmers had not been able to protest against the Bill embodying the taxation proposals when it was before Parliament, but it was hurried through, and there ivas 110 opportunity given to the representatives of farmers to consider the causes of the Bill. He fancied he was the only one in the House who had protested against the Bill being put through hurriedly. One of the worst features of the Act was that it was made retrospective so far as the new taxation was concerned, but this, he was afraid, could not be altered except by Parliament. But something might be done to jive the farmers a simpler form to fill in. The president said that as he was not a mixed fanner he could fill up the farm pretty accurately, but lie knew that there were many questions which farmers would not be able to answer accurately. It was a great mistake, he thought to make the tax retrospective, because it was known that a Urge number of fanners who were engaged in mixed farming, and who did not keep hooks, would never be able to make up their returns correctly. He might mention, so far as a war tax was concerned, that the executive had never been opposed to a tax for war purposes, because farmers knew the necessity for such a tax. He was afraid nothing could be done this year in removing the retrospective proposals, except to pass a resolution ef protest. Any alteration to the Act could only be made by Parliament, but they might get a simpler form to fill in their returns. Mr. Dickie said that a large aiid influential meeting of farmers had been held at Waverley the previous day (Fri- . day)j when they passed a resolution protesting against the present form which l the farmers were asked to fill up. 'Mr Mills said he was sure that farmers did not object to a 'tax for war purposes, but they objected to the present form of assessing the tax, as it wits very difficult for them to make up an absolutely accurate return.

Mr. Hunter said the retrospective part of tlie tax was iniquitous—to ask farmers to pay an increased tax four or five months before the war began, when other members of the community did not have to pay it until two years later was not fair. Then, again, a farmer's year might close on a month different to when the income returns had to be sent in, and he could foresee trouble there. Mr. Lambie said lie was also sure that farmers did not wisli to evade taxation, for war purposes, but the present form which they were asked to fill in was beyond most farmers. The Valuation Department had all particulars of the farmers' land, and he thought they ought to be in a position to send in a "bill" from the office without much difficulty. He supported the proposal to send a deputation to Wellington to interview the Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance. After some further discussion the president moved the following resolution : ''That this Executive of the Farmers' Union, a.s • representing the farmers of Taranaki province, strongly protests against some of the questions asked in the income tax return forms, as it is absolutely impossible for farmers to fill the form up correctly; also, this Executive suggests that the returns be delayed until consideration is given to the matter by the Government." Mr. Washer seconded the motion, which was carried. The president also moved a, further resolution:— "That this Executive is very willing to agree to any fair and necessary taxation for war purposes, but objects to the income tax, and also to i its retrospective principles." Mr. Swindlehurst seconded the resolui tion, which was carried. An Executive Committee, comprising • Messrs Mills, Hunter, Washer and the 1 secretary (Mr. J. B, Sim) was appointed t« deal -with thus matter.. if neces-

sary to arrange for the Taranaki members of Parliament to interview tlie Minister of the Crown. It was decided that the foregoing resolutions be telegraphed to the Premier and the Minister for Finance, and to the Dominion President, and all Provincial Executives. On the motion of Mr. Lambie, hearty votes of thanks wen; accorded to Mr. Pearce, M.P., and to the visiting farmers for their attendance. "Mr. Pearce bricliy replied, saying that he was always glad to do what he could for the farmers. Mr. Dickie replied for the other visi-tors.—Haw-era Star. AGRICULTURAL SHOW.