FARMERS’ UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1922, Page 7

FARMERS’ UNION.

REMITS FOB CONFERENCE. VALUATION PROPOSALS. The following remits were dealt with at the annual Farmers’ Union conference at Inglewood on Thursday: “That the Government value counties and boroughs at stated periods of the year and contemporaneously. Failing the Government seeing its way to do this, all counties and boroughs within a hospital rating area be valued at the same time.” In moving the above remit, on behalf of fthfe Mangatoki Branch, Mr. Astbury said it had been the practice in the past to leave some counties and boroughs unvalued, and the result was inequitable rating. The Dominion conference had thought the suggestion of the remit was only just, but on it being sent on to the Government, the Premier’s advisers had informed him that the proposals were impracticable. He saw no reason why a valuer could' not be appointed in almost every county or borough and complete the valuations in 12 months. When there was anything unjust, a little extra labor should not be considered. It was not fair to Taranaki that it should have frequent valuations while other counties were left probably with the same valuation for a number of years. There was a gross injustice in Taranaki, especially regarding hospital rating. Mr. Vickers supported the remit in so far as it affected the inequality of rating under the present system. Some counties were paying as much as 50 per cent, more hospital levy than others. He did not think, however, that it would be wise to dictate to the Government. The new taxation should not be adopted until all the contributing counties in a hospital district had been valued, a fiat rate then being struck. The remit was carried.

UNIMPROVED VALUE RATING. “That; the conference take into consideration the advisability of requesting the Government to make the rating on the unimproved value or annual value mandatory.” Mr. Astbury moved the above remit. He said it was infinitely preferable that improvements should he exempted from rating. He thought the system should be universally adopted. The cost of valuation would be reduced and farmers would not be taxed on their labor and improvements. If rating on the unimproved value were made mandatory, the office work of the department would , bp greatly reduced. Mr. Maxwell said it was too late in the day to discuss a remit that required ’long deliberation. It was not only a farmers’ business, but allected all property. He cited a vacant section in Devon Street, New Plymouth, which was situated near large buildings. It was not the desire of the owner to leave the land vacant, but it was not required. The man who bad the burden of the unused section had to pay the same rate as 'the man who °"" ed revenue-returning section with buildings erected thereon. Ibe vacant seeHo„ g had to help to pay the improvemrfnts in the town, and received no ie jjaxuia iu returu

PROMPT PAYMENT OF RATES. The remit was carried. A remit from the executive, “That the law be altered so as to allow local bodies to give discount for prompt payment of rates,” was moved by Mr. Dunn. Mr. Vickers said that 14 days after the rate demands were received the rates were payable, and the remit would give an advantage to the ratepayer who could immediately pay as against the man who paid as soon as he could. If the remit was given effect to, the rates would have to be increased to meet interest charges. Mr. Dunn cited the rebate on land tax in support of the remit. That concession had proved a great success, and he hoped a similar position would apply to the question of rates. The remit was carried. Mr. J. D. Bashford brought forward, on behalf of the Otakeho branch, “That the Department of Agriculture be approached with a view to having the clvarges for C.O.R. testing reduced to the figure previously charged, viz., .£5 55.” Delegates pointed out that the excessive charges militated against the valuable practice of herd-testing. Mr. Kurth pointed out the costs incurred by the officers of the department in carrying out the tests, and said he did not think they could get any reduction. The remit was lost. PUBLIC SERVANTS AND LABOR. On behalf of the A.uroa branch, Mr. Lyndon moved “That in the opinion of this conference it is not in the interests of the Dominion that public servants be affiliated with the Alliance of Labor.”

Several delegatee objected to the remit as something which did not concern the farmers.

Mr. Vickers supported the remit. He said the Alliance of Labor, coupled with the preference to unionists, gave the union greater power than the Government. and that power would be directed against all that was vital to the country. Every industry had a right to a union of its own, but he objected to a federation. Mr. Maxwell said the object of the unions was to build up a power that the Government could not resist, and the result would be anarchy. It was the business of tile farmers to resist the efforts of the unions. The remit was carried. “That when cases come up before the Arbitration Court, the third party be allowed representation if desired, was also moved by Mr. Dunn on behalf of the Auroa branch. He said the third party was the public. The employer was liable to agree in cases of dispute, as he was able to pass increases on, whereas the public might object.—CarTied ’ THE A. & P. TAX. Mr. Mills, on behalf of the executive, moved “That A. & P. associations be excluded from the amusement tax.” He said the object of the associations was educational and not for amusement. Mr. Vickers thought that the remit should ask only that members’ tickets, should be exempted. If they could get total exemption, so much the better; but he thought under the circumstances the remit should be restricted to members’ tickets. Mr. Daere said that some shows pandered more for amusement (sideshows, etc.) than for education, and that it was considered that the tax should be | accordingly paid. —Carried. . “That the Department of Education

be urged to have uniform school books throughout the Dominion,” was moved by Mr. Buokridge and carried with little discussion. On behalf of the executive, Mr. Dunn moved: “That in the opinion of the conference, Public Trust funds for investment should be advanced on farm lands only.” He said local bodies could find their funds outside the Dominion or anywhere much easier than the farmers. Mr. Bashford said the remit was “too hot.” It was a “cheeky ’ think to ask that Public Trust funds be restricted to farmers. He thought the remit should be killed at once. Mr. Maxwell said the Public Timst funds were public monies belonging as much to the city man as to the farmer, and it would be an improper thing and a dangerous precedent to ask the Public Trust to restrict their lending to the fanners only. Other delegates also strongly objected to the remit, jvlrich was finally withdrawn. IMPORTED FERTILISERS. “That this conference strongly protests against the application of the dumping regulations in the Customs Amendment Act, 1-921, to all imported fertilisers, on the grounds that such legislation is inimical to the best interests of the farming community, as it tends to restrict prwiuction.” In moving the above, Mr. Dunn said they should take steps to have fertilisers placed on a different basis. The remit was passed without discussion. “That in the opinion of this conference the regulations with regard to cattle tick are not sufficient to deal with the problem effectively; in particular as to the travelling of horses, and possibly dogs, from an infected area. In view of the fact that the tick has spread in recent years to a considerable extent, we believe that everything humanly possible should be done to prevent its further spread.” In moving the above Mr. Mills said this was a matter which should be kept before the Government. He had heard that ticks had been landed at the New Plymouth breakwatr, and this was an urgent illustration of the danger. With all precautions it would be as much as the department could do to keep the tick out.

Mr. Vickers also urged the danger of the pest. It was not known if the climatic conditions of Taranaki were favorable to the tick but they did not want to experiment. He thought a restriction similar to the black-leg regulations should be placed on the infected areas. The remit was carried. NOXIOUS WEEDS. For the Ngaere branch, Mr. . Cleaver moved “That the Noxious Weeds Act be so amended that it is made compulsory for every occupier to grub one chain on the boundaries of their properties and to cut the balance, and that the inspectors should be more rigid in their visits in enforcing the provisions of the Act.” It was pointed out that the remit had been before the conference previously. Mr. Dunn asked if the regulations were meant to apply to Taranaki only. If it were so he would be prepared to support the remit. It would be unfair to dictate this policy to other provinces. Mr. Maxwell said if such a regulation were enforced many landholders would be forced from their farms, on account

of the coat of clearing weeds. The remit was carried. “That the Government be urged to bring down a Bill that will ensure to farmers greater protection than now Is possible in the sale of seeds, so as to prevent" the continuous spread of noxious weeds through the sowing of impure seeds” was moved by Mr. Buckeridge, on of the Whareroa branch. Mi< Maxwell said not only was there this danger from seeds, but (noxious weeds were also carried in manure. It was well known that in some makes of fertilisers sand was added to make up weight, and this sand was probably taken from weed infected areas. —The remit was carried.