“HANDS HELD OUT”

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 29241, 11 October 1940, Page 4

“HANDS HELD OUT”

SECTION OF COMMUNITY FARMERS USING THEIRS PROTESTS ABOUT TAXATION “The success of the company has not been gained without a great deal of hard work and I would like to congratulate all concerned on the success of the year’s operations,” said Mr A. R. Rutherfurd, of Te Aroha, in seconding the motion for adoption of the annual report at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Farmers’ Co-operative Auctioneering Company Limited, to-day. “We are very fortunate in having a man with the capabilities of Mr A. C. Bushell at the head of affairs, but it must be very discouraging to him to see the money the company has made, largely by his efforts, taken away in heavy taxation instead of being allowed to ex - pand the business. If all the taxation were being used for war purposes one would not complain, but most of it is being used for social legislation. “There is a certain section holding out its hands for other people’s money. They do not want to work. There is far too much of it. The farmer does not hold out his hands. He uses them to work with. “We have taken a ‘sleeping partner into the business and he wants all the bed,” added Mr Rutherfurd. “It has been stated that taxation has not started yet, so I do not know where it is going to finish.” Reached Saturation Point After congratulating the company on its strong financial position and referring to the buoyant state of the liquid assets Mr D. Hay stated that he knew of no other company in the British Empire in such a sound position. He was pleased to see the strong objection to the heavy taxi ation coming from such an influen- | tial source, as it was about time the | Government realised that businesses j could not stand any more. They had i reached saturation point as far as i taxation was concerned. | Speaking as a farmer, Mr W. J. I Lusty also congratulated the com- ■ pany on its achievement and paid a j tribute to the service the company i was giving the farmers. “The farmer j has been asked to increase production, and every man and child worth his salt is doing so,” added Mr Lusty. I “However, it is very discouraging to I see the wheels of industry stopping ion Friday nights. Government ! offices and many other firms and ! offices close from Friday night to • Monday, while the coal-mines go to I sleep during the same period. The i farmer during this time has to attend j to five milkings, and sheep also have | to be attended. I “While farmers are doing this ] hard work the Government servants i and 40-hour-weekers are enjoying I golf and race meetings. Yes, there i are plenty of race meetings, and far I too much beer-drinking. I “The farmer is not out for profit i and is determined to back the BritI ish Government to the end, but it is about time this Government and industry realised that the production of goods is of primary importance,” con- : eluded Mr Lusty, who advocated the | extension of the working hours in the week.