INCOMES OF FARMERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1921, Page 10

INCOMES OF FARMERS.

QUESTION OF TAXATION. PROTEST NOT OPPORTUNE. The financial burden under which certain farmers are laboring at present was emphasised by some of the speakers at the annual conference of the Auckland Farmers’ Union on Wednesday. The discussion arose out. of a remit from the local executive, “That, the income tax as applied to farmers should be abolished, and an equal amount raised by an increase in the land tax.” Captain F. Colbeck (executive) moved tliat the remit be struck out. He said that since it was framed conditions had changed. There was now no need for it, as many of the farmers had no income and would therefore not be taxed in that direction. Delegates briefly discussed the matter, some of the arguments used being that the income tax was not fair on farmers in that the latter had no set incomes; that it was exceedingly difficult for farmers to fill in the income tax forms. Opponents of the suggestion to strike the remit out contended that the present time, when many farmers were “hard hit”, was the most opportune time for approaching the Government on the matter.

Mr. C. C. Munro (executive), in supporting the motion to withdraw the remit, said that w’hile some farmers could pay income tax, others were feeling the effects of the slump. Those who had no income would not be taxed, of course. Sheep-farmers were going to find it hard to pay the land tax, but the dairy farmers had been- “on toast” lately and would have to pay income tax. Mr. I’. Keegan (executive) complained that many farmers could not raise the money to make their land productive. Dairy farmers, however, were doing well. He was one, and lie was surprised at the amount of money there was in dairy farming. (Laughter.) He and other dairy farmers could surely pay income tax this year, and it was a fair thing that they should. Sheep-farmers would not be affected, as they had no set income to tax. The remit could be well held back until things became more normal.

Mr. T. 0. Jenkinc (Kaipara Flats) said he was a sheep-farmer, and would be “hard hit” by the land tax. He contended that the present system of compiling land taxation and valuations was not fair. The remit was withdrawn.