CANTERBURY FARMERS & SETTLERS' LEAGUE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4165, 15 July 1892, Page 2

CANTERBURY FARMERS & SETTLERS' LEAGUE.

(Per Press Association). Chbistohorch, July 18. The Farmers and Country Settlers' League met at the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon. Eighty were present. Mr D; McMillan presided, and resolutions were adopted totbeAJ Mewing effect:.—(l) 'that the League will oppose all olass legislation as a violation of the rights of all citizens to equal laws j (2) will oppose all attempt to heavier State burdens upon the owners of land, and other tax upon owners of other kinds of property; (8) denounces as dishonest and a national brenob of faith any proposals to nationalise lands owned by private citizens without paying fair compensation for them ; (4) declares that tho imposition of a progressive tax on owners of. land while exempting onuera of money front progres* sive taxation is class legislation, hostile to farmers and landowners, and a violation of tlieir rights to equal laws; (5) declares that it is unjust and oppressive to compel mortgagors of land to pay progressive taxes upon the mortgagee's interest in their land; (G) that this League views with just alarm those provisions of the Land and Income Tax of 1891, which tax farmers and country settlors so muoh more heavily than town l? dwelljjL and money lenders with equal to pay taxes; (7) condemns any system of taxation which will have tbo effect of unfairly diminishing the fund for employing agricultural labourers, and , considers that the present Land Tax Act will cause manifestly unfair diminution of such wage fund with' out giving any corresponding advantage to them; (8) declares it is un- , principled and dishonest for politic- . ians to advooato that any class of citizens able to pay taxes should, not pay their fair share of taxes required j to be levied for the necessaries of the , community; (9) declares that it is . unjust for dwellers in towns to have tho right to have three votes, while country settlers have only , one vote for the election of Par- . liamentary representatives ; (10) , that the League will take every , means in its power to forward the I phnveviews, and to assist in promotr lug the rights and interests of the I farming community, 'lt was decided . to publish the programme throughouti , the Colony, and send copies to Couns(. Councils and Road Boards with a re- , quest that they will organise similar leagues with a view to send delegates j to the meeting, and consulting as to [ united action j also to form branches . throughout Canterbury.