FARMERS’ UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1922, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION.

THE TARANAKI BRANCH. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. GATHERING AT INGLEWOOD. The twenty-second annual conference of the Taranaki Provincial District of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Inglewood yesterday. Mr. R. Dunn (president) occupied the chair, and there were also present: Messrs. W. T. Seed (Matapu), B. Rushin (Otakeho), A. Haseltine (Hawera), F. Gawith (Tokaora), A. Walker, L. K. Tarrant (Ngaere), J. Dacre. R. G. Muggeridge (Manaia), J. D. Bashford (Otakeho), W. Lyndon (Auroa), J. Corraglen (Pihama), G. Giddy (Kaimata), and the following members of the executive: R. Dunn (president), F. Mills and A. E. Washer (vice-presidents), J. Swindleburst, E. Maxwell, D. L. A. Astbury, J. S. Barrow, J. Cleaver, S. Vickers and J. A. Kurth. Apologies were received from Messrs. B. Opr and A. R. B. Pierce. Prior to the commencement of business, the Mayor of Inglewood (Mr. J. R. Sutherland), on behalf of the townspeople, welcomed the conference to Inglewood. Hi said farmers during the past year or so had been passing through hard times, but he hoped that the silver lining would soon appear. Mr. A. Corkill (chairman of the Inglewood County Council) also welcomed the conference to Inglewood. Formerly there were several branches and numerous members around the Inglewood district, and he trusted that the holding of the conference there would revive interest. The president then delivered his annual address. On the motion of Mr. E. Maxwell, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the president for his able and instructive address. The mover referred to the splendid work the president had done in the interests of the farming community. The president, in acknowledging the tribute, remarked that it • was a coincidence that it was seven years ago, at a meeting in Inglewood, that he was appointed president. He said that while they had the enthusiastic support of a number of farmers, they did not get the backing from many farmers that they should receive. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. ORGANISER’S REPORT. The provincial organiser (Mr. G. H. Buckeridge) reported: “I regret that the number of active branches has considerably decreased during the yar, and though I have made several attempts to resuscitate some of the branches, the result has not been at all encouraging. The rally that was proposed resulted in such a poor response to the efforts of the executive that it was felt that it would be better to undertake an individual canvass of farmers for support, and this I have now commenced, with, so far, very fair results. During the past few weeks an effort has been made to start branches of the Dairy Fanners’ Union in our midst, but nothing very tangible has resulted so far. There is, however, a very distinct danger that the efforts may result in splitting up our forces.

“The boys antj girls’ club movement, which was started last year, has proved an even greater success than was expected of it by many, but it is proving a very big financial burden, and unless farmers are prepared to give the union very much more liberal support the movement will have to be abandoned by the union. This would be little short of a calamity, and I feel sure that when the position is put before farmers they will respond to our appeal. I had hoped that as a result of the interest aroused, and of the benefit they have undoubtedly proved to be, we should have had a considerable acquisition to our membership, but that much-to-be-desired result has not yet been achieved. However, I am pleased to report that the past two weeks have revealed a real live interest being taken in the union around Hawera, where we have formed two good, strong branches, and I hope to have others formed shortly. Mr. F. Mills, in moving the adoption of the report, said the trouble was that the organiser started branches, and these were afterwards allowed to die away for lack of interest. Mr. W. J. Bashford seconded its adoption, and the resolution was carried. Remits were then dealt with as follows: TAXATION. The Auroa branch moved that farmers’ income should be assessed in the same way as any other business, setting profits from one source of income against losses from any other source. In moving the remit, the president referred to the fact, that a farmer might, through industry, have money invested and have to pay income tax on the interest, though he may have lost money on his farming operations. A business man could put the profits of one department against the losses of another, and the farmer should be put in the same position. The Prime Minister had intimated that a test case would be coming on soon. Mr. Bashford seconded the remit, which was carried. Mr. Haseltine (Hawera) moved that the conference considered that it was now time to ask for a >more quitable system of taxation, as the present method was only a war measure. He said that the farmer was now taxed in every direction—land tax, income tax, rates, ' railway freights, etc. Through the high cost of railway freights the farmer was compelled to get his goods by road, entailing additional cost of road maintenance. A. E, Washer seconded . •-*

Mr. D. L. A. Astbury (Mangatoki) suggested that the remit should be amended to ask the Government for a more equitable system of taxation, and urging that moneys invested in mortgages upon land be apportioned upon the unimproved and improved values pro rata, the part apportioned upon the improvements to be exempted from taxation as under the land tax, and the part apportioned on the unimproved value to pay the same rate of tax in the £ as is paid upon the unimproved value free of mortgage. Mr. Haseltine agreed to this. Mr. W. J. Polson (president of the Dominion executive) arrived from Wanganui at this stage, and was introduced to the meeting by the president, who referred to the great work done by the president, who was a young man of considerable ability. Mr. Polson thanked the chairman for his remarks. Touching on the subject under discussion, he said that he had been to a great deal of trouble to have the incidence of taxation made more just. The Farmers’ Union, assisted by several members of Parliament, had been instrumental in having the commission set un. The Farmers* Union had got three representatives on it, all live men, but they were only three out of ton or eleven. The townspeople, merchants, chambers of commerce, were working hard to show that they too were affected by the incidence of taxation as well as the country people, and would bring a mass of evidence. He was seriously concerned as to how best to present his case, and had decided to invite' a committee of farmers who had made a study of taxation, and would also obtain the assistance of expert accountants, so as to put the evidence before the commission in a concrete, clear manner. After further discussion the amended proposal was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of executive officers for the ' ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Mr. F. Mills; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. E. Washer and D. L. A. Astbury; treasurer, Mr. J. Swindlehurst; hon. auditor, Mr. J. G. Nichol; Dominion delegate, Mr. R. Dunn; executive, Mssrs. A. R. Pierce, R. Lambie, E. Maxwell, T. W. Owen, J. A. Kurth, J. S. Barrow, G. H. Buckeridge, H. Hodge, J. Cleaver, B. Orr, H. A. Sutherland, W. T. Seed, E. Betts, B. Rushin, J. D. Bashford, F. Gawith, R. Dunn.