MEETINGS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9154, 31 May 1915, Page 7

MEETINGS.

FARMERS' UNIOW: ASHBURTON BRANCH.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was' held on Saturday. Present: —Messrs J. R. Simpson (chairman). R. Gilmour, C-J. Copeland, F. Frnmpton, J. R- Fleming, and J. Willi::-ms.

The Marlborough branch of the Farmers' Union wrote asking the cooperation of the Ashburton^ branch in the matter of the following resolutions:— (1) "That, in regard to the suggested v;v.r t;ix, this meeting strongly condemns anything in the nature of a class tax, considering thp.t all should contribute accord in*:: to their means, and this meeting favours a universal tax on incomes, something in the manner suggested by Mr Vavasour in his letter to tho ""Dominion." dated April 13, 1915." (2) "That tho above resolution bo a remit to the Dominion Conference." (Mr Vavasour 1!! scheme involved a. gem-pal tax on incomes of 1 per eont. or 2£d in the £).—Mr Williams said that ho aid not think that there could be .any si:ch thing as-a war tax. He thought a- fairer way-- would bo to increase all existing" taxes' in proportion to moet- the increased deniands.—Other' speaker's supported Mr Williams.—-Mr TVampton-. said..that the advantage of n '.war tax" was that- when the war Vvns'finished the tax was done wiih. In the other case tho increase might be kt;pt on for somo time afterwards.—Mr Fi'miiing said he favoured the Maryborough Union's suggestion.— The chairman said that the best part of the suggestion wna that it condemned class taxation. —It was then decided, on tho motion of Messrs Frampton ruul Fleming, to support the Marlboroiigh Union'r. resolutions.

Mr Hon.di-'i'so.n tflndornd his resignation ns a member of the committee.—A vote of tlimiles v,-as passed to Mr Henderson for his services and also for a promise to endeavour to secure new members. —It was decided to appoint Mr J. Brown, of Lowcliffe, to the vacant place on the committee. Mr Simpson, in speaking of his experience at the recent Provincial Conference, said thp principal remit in connection with tho Conference (to his mind) was the one regarding State 'shipping Instead of discussing the advisability of tho Government chartering vessels, Mr Loadley had ■thought that it would be hotter to call tenders for the carrying of New Zealand produce betweon Now Zealand and the Homeland. The re'nit with regard to limo_ as manure had also come in for considerable discussion. The speaker stated that ho had received a letter from Mr G. W. Lendley stating that the Government wns prepared to-sup-ply lime free to members of the Union who had Knit:l.bin )nnd and who were willing to let tho Government use it for exporimeTJting nnrposos. Coming to the financial side of the business, Mr Simnson said that Ashburton was easily the highest contributor to 'the Provincial Centre. It had contributed' £35 last year. The next highest sum was £14 10s, and the next £10, after which they went down by degrees to £1. This was scarcely a fair statement, however, ns several treas-urers had brought various sums along to the Conference.

The meeting then went i:n.to committee to discuss matters of finance.