FORTUNATE TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1921, Page 6

FORTUNATE TARANAKI.

VALUE OF DAIRY INDUSTRY. BURDEN ON TAX-PAYERS. In responding to the toast of “The New Zealand Parliament” at a social function held by the Stratford Jersey Breeders’ Association on Tuesday night, Mr. R. Masters, M.P., remarked that during' the past four or five months he had traversed a large part of New Zealand, and when one realised the conditions operating in those districts they in Taranaki had just reason to be proud of their position. The dairy industry, he added, was the thin thread which was holding New Zealand together at the present time, and had dairy produce fallen in value in the same way as meat and wool the position would be nothing short of disastrous, especially as wool, which was about Is a pound before the war, was now only about fourpence. In the face of these facts it was quite clear that they must have increased production and a greater thrift. When they took into consideration the large increases in taxation they had to face, there seemed only one way out of the difficulty, and that was to produce more. As showing the heavy liabilities which the tax-payers had to meet, Mr. Masters mentioned that £8,148,631 more was collected in revenue last year than the year before, made up as follows: Stamps and death duties, £4lO/169; increased postal charges, £553,401; land tax, £131,075; income tax, £1,879,180; railway revenue. £1,152,477; and miscellaneous, £443,128. AM these amounts were increases on what had been collected the year before, and it must be patent to all that they must produce more in order to bear their additional burdens. Of the taxes paid, particularly by farmers, the figures, when compared with those of 1914, were astounding, and only a wonderful country such as New Zealand was could stand up against such a burden. The Customs revenue, a good deal of which Was paid by farmers, had increased from £3,500,000 'in 1914 to £8,500,000 last year; the land tax, from £707,451 to £1,688,978; and the income tax, which farmers did not previously pay, from £613,751 to £8,248,944. Mr. Masters added that he believed the slump the country was at present passing through was going to have some good influence. It would have a steadying effect on commerce and on land values, but hard work, thrift and increased production were required, and all must do their share. As a result of the thrift and industry of its early settlers Taranaki had become the gem province of the Dominion, and he was glad to see the self-reliant spirit of the settlers of to-day, and their keen desire to adopt up-to-date .methods and improve their herds. The Jersey Breeders’ Association was working on the right lines, because it was encouraging dairy farmers to increase their production, and anything which had for its purpose increasing production deserved success, and he hoped the association would go on and meet with greater success.