LEVY ON BUTTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1916, Page 3

LEVY ON BUTTER.

ANGER OP DAIRY FARMERS. Auckland, Dec. 4. The anger ox dairy farmers in this part of the country at the levy placed on butter-fat to compensate those selling butter on the local market at a limited price was strongly reflected in two speeches at the opening of the dairy factory at Otorohanga. Mr. Young, M.P., said the tax should be borne by the taxpayers as a whole. Dairy farmers were now being taxed to provide cheaper butter not only for poor anc. deserving men hut also foi the rich man with a large income, who could afford to pay 10s alb for his butter. He regretted that the Minister for Agriculture (who had telegraphed apologies for absence) was not present to explain the action of the Government. Mr. J. Boddie, chairman of the Te Kuiti Dairy Factory Company, said that struggling dairy farmers and'thoir wives and children, who often had to work hard for seven days a week, were being taxed to provide wealthy people and their families with cheaper butter. When a deputation of dairymen recent;;.- waited upon the Minister for Agriculture they thought they were being asked to go to Wellington to be consulted regarding the levy, but instead they were only asked to endorse it. He'protested against such injustice being done whilst' their mouths were closed. (Hear. hear). Small farmers had to pay high prices for all they purchased, and if they were not feeling the high cost of living,' ■who wore The farmers wore now better organised than ever before, and when (he proper time came they would make their voices heard. The attitude on this matter of . every member of Parliament would be closely watched. Farmers would abide by the law, but they were going to sec that the lav; was just. It" was not a question of the amount involved or of want of patriotism, hut a protest against an unfair class tax. (Applause).