FARMERS' PROTECTION LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1917, Page 2

FARMERS' PROTECTION LEAGUE.

NORTH T.AMNAKI BRANCH FORMED.

There was a moderate but representative gathering of farmers at the'meeting, which was held at Urenui yesterday, to discuss the butter-fat tax, the formation of a 'branch ol the .Fanners' Protection League, and other important matters. Representatives were present from Uruti, North Taranak}, Tikorangi (butter), and Waitoitoi and White Cliffs (cheese) factories. •Mr W. J. Froeth, convenor of tho meeting, was voted to the chair. He stated that he felt the time had arrived when farmers had to protect their own interests. Personally, ho iwas disappointed with what had taken place at the meeting recently held in Hawera. No farmer, ho said, complained at being taxed, as all felt that they were "up against it" at present, and had to pay, but they wanted a tax levied that would be fair to everyone. Farmers were quite prepared to pay any tax that was levied in a proper way. He referred to the report of the reecnt interview of North Island representatives with the Minister of Agriculture, and stated that the press report gave the Minister's reply, but did not give the farmers' side of the ease. At the conclusion of his reply, the Minister intimated that tho levy -would cease at the end of Junq, and Parliament would have to devise some other method. The speaker said that farmers would have to make a kick to have that method adjusted on the lines that they wanted.

Ho moved that "This representative meeting of North Taranaki Farmers resolves to form a branch of the Dairy Farmers' Protective League, (having for its objects a more .powerful influence and .greater say in the levying of taxation In Sew Zealand; the procuring of signatures to a monster petition from every farmer in New Zealand, especially dairy farmers, calling on Parliament, during next session, to withdraw the iniquitous and unfair butter-fat tax and substitute for it a. one per cent, export tax, estimated to produce £300,000." This tax, lie considered, would be the more fair way, and could be collected at a minimum of cost. He stated that at present there was no leader of the dairy industry. Every time there mere negotiations with the Government, this was iproved. Either the National Dairy Association must be revived, or farmers must go past it. Farmers had no faith in the National Dairy Association, and the speaker thought thst fanners should have a--, a leader the bsst man :t was possible to obtain in the country, working solely in their interests. Mr Greville, he pointed out, was addressing meetings on the subject as organiser, ancl would visit Taranaki later.

Mr B. Aroa (Uruti Valley) agreed that no farmer would object to pay an equitable war tax, but the butter-fat tax was not equitable. In fact, it. was not a tax, the Government said, hut a. levy. The Government also said that a fresh scheme would be devised in June Their members of Parliament must' watch this, or it would be worse than the :, /,d levy. The Government could tax them as much as it liked, and the farmers knew they had to pay it. He was sorry that the cry of cheese versus butter had been raised. Cheese had certainly been hit the harder, but if they wished, to do any good, dairy farmers must (pull together. Ho thought that an export tax would be the fairer method, and if they could only get their members of Parliament to work in the interests of the farmers, something might, be done. Mr J. Hine (Tikorangi) congratulated Mr Freoth on being the fir=rt fartner to submit an alternative scheme. The downfall of the meetings held was that they were but a croak of protests. He thought probably that it was too late to do anything now. The reason that the butter-fat tax was imposed was hecause the. Government was driven to regulate the cost of foodstuffs in some direction, and every farmer would agree that this was the proper thing. In a great war like this, which was a fight for existence, it iwould be wrong for one class to exploit another. The Government had adopted a clumsy method, but had received 110 assistance from the farmers'. He did not think the tax would be in operation uext year, because, though he did not wish to be a prophet or a .'fob's comforter, he thought 'butter would be at a loyr price unless there was some better method of getting it away. If they suggested an export tax to take its place, the Government would jump at it, and there might be no need, for it. He agreed with an export tax, which was easily collectable, and equitable. Mr Freeth recognised that if the but-ter-fat levy was to be abolished,, something had to be put in its place. Mr R. 'Aroa seconded the resolution. Mr W. J. Phillips (Waitoitoi) considsidered that the paragraph re export duty should be deleted. The Government iwould themselves find some means of imposing the tax more fairly. Mr Sutton thought that they might leave the question of the form of taxation to bo imposed to the conference that would be held of representatives of the different branches of the Farmers' Protection League.

Finally, the resolution was amended to read: "That this representative meeting of North Taranaki farmers resolves to form a. branch of the Dairy Farmers' "Protection League, having for its object •a more powerful influence and greater in the levying of taxation in New Zealand." This was ■carried. Mr Sutton moved that each chairman of dairy factories in North' Taranaki take in hand the organisation of a list of membership prior to the arrival of Mr Greville. This was seconded iby Mr Spur, and carried. It was resolved to hold the meeting at) Urenui. Mr Aroa (Umti) suggested that, graziers and other farmers should lie invited to join. 'Mr Aroa moved that Mr W. JVeeth be appointed convenor of future meetings, with the object of convening a meeting as soon as ho ascertains when Mr Greville can ho present. This was seconded by Mr Sutton and carried. It was resolved to invite Awakino, Okau, Uruti, White Cliffs, Wait/ortor, North Taranaki, and Ti'korangi dairy factories to join the North Taranaki league, making the Waitara river the 'boundary. THE PRICE OP PIGS. Mr W. X iFreeth brought up thn question of the price of pigs, porkers fetching 4%(i and baconerg 5d here, and realising 10J£d at) Home. This was too big

a margin. He threw out the suggestion that tho Inglewood Bacon Company should be connected with the Farmers' freezing Company. Hie considered that the district must liavo lost hundreds on the export of pork. Mr S. Poplins pointed out that this was tho first year that pork had been profitably exported. Mr Aroa said that farmers lost a lot of money through not 'being organised. Pigs were quoted here at 4y s d|, when they were quoted at 7d in Canterbury. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Frpeth for the interest that he had taken in the matter. WHEAT GROWING. (t. V. Tate, of Waitara, was present to address the Pukearuhe and Waitoitoi .farmers on wheat grooving; Owing to the latesness of tho hour,- it was agreed that, at a later date, Mr 0. V. Tate should visit the district and view the land, afterwards addressing a meeting in the district.