TAX UPON WORTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8204, 29 July 1915, Page 7

TAX UPON WORTS.

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE OBJECTS.

A RESOLUTION ADOPTED. »

(for Press Association)

WELLINGTON-July 28. Strong objection to the proposed tax upon exports was taken this afternoon by the .delegate? to" the Farmers' Union Conference which is being held in Wellington. Seven remits from various districts in the Dominion appeared on the order paper. A committee which had been set up to'combine these submitted the following resolution for the consideration of the conference:—"That the Government be urged, in the event of a war tax being levied, that it'should be made to press equitably on all members of the community, but this conference strongly objects to a tax upon exports." Mr James Begg (Otago-), who moved the resolution on behalf of the committee, objected to a tax upon exports, not because it touched the farmers' pockets, but upon the principle that the pre c-"ilj W-R.K a fitting time to protest against such a tax. High prices undoubtedly stimulated production, and the prosperity of the country depended upon an" increasing volume of exports. ' c Mr T. Moss (Wellington) thought the Government should bo left a free hand in. imposing a tax, and the resolution, therefore, did not embody a definite scheme. The prosperity which had come to the farmers had been shared by the wage-earners, and a tax upon exports would not do the country any good. . ,:

Mr J. Boddio (Auckland) did not desire it to go abroad that the farmers objected to a tax xipon exports because they were interested parties. To tax nronprty and incomes would be more unfair than to tax exports. Ho suggested that a 1 per cent, tax would not be felt by the men on the land. Mr G. Shoat (North Canterbury) slid he would be sorry to see the working man hit through the Customs. After further discussion, the resolution was adopted on the voices.