SOUTHERN FARMERS AND THE NEW TAXATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3075, 31 March 1892, Page 2

SOUTHERN FARMERS AND THE NEW TAXATION.

A practical farmer, who contributes agricultural notes to the Mataura Ensign, writes " A huge amount of flapdoodle has been spoken and written of late by interested parties and party newspapers to the effect that the Liberal Government Land and Income Tax, 1891, would in no way effect farmers. Perhaps the not-to-be-effected farmers will get an eye-opener this week, when they receive free by post their notice 'On .Land and Income Tax Business Only.' In the paper which has reached me I am informed that for local rating purposes ' the value on the first money column will be used,' and that column I find headed ' actual value of property, including improvements.' It so happened that within a few years past I have like other people, spent a good bit of money and labour on buildings, drains, fences, and improvements, and I am now officially informed that in consideration of these improvements I have got to pay on between £300 and £400 more than hitherto. This of course means that my county rates, road board rates, charitable aid ditto, and the new Gore service rate whou wantQd, will ill! have to be paid on my improvements, whether oats or mutton rise or fall, or whether the improvements leave a threepenny bit to the good after paying labour, interest, and expenses. That) is how the People's Government and the Great Liberal Party proceed to encourage settlement on the land. My little case will be similar to others—we are likely to be all in the same box—and I feel anxious to know hnw we all like it. The Wyndham farmers have spoken out freely on this taxation subject; indeed their club is the only public body which lias had the courage to tackle it fairly, and the members deserve credit for their spirit." 1