FARMERS' UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 121, 22 May 1917, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

CONFERENCE REStTMED. TAXATION CONSIDERED. The seventeenth annual provincial conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Uniou was resumed at the Town Hall concert chamber at - o'clock to-day. The provincial president (Mr. A. A. Ross) occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of delegates ami interested farmers present. On the representations of the delegates from Te Puke ami Waiuku. Messrs. O. P. 'M. Duncan and H. 0. .Mellsop respectively, the following remits wore considered collectively, viz.: — -This Conference of the Farmers' I'nion objects most strongly to the unsatisfactory method uf taxation in connection with the Excess Profits Tax. and requests the Government to bring in a more satisfactory method of taxation.' 7 "That the Finance Act . lie repealed and that the necessary revenue be ra;sed by an export, property, and income tax." "-That the Government be asked to abolish the Excess Profits Tax where it applies to farmers, and to levy an export t:i\ in its stead." In speaking to ihe remit from Te Puke llr. Duncan said that it was hceaus" the executive had not brought the matter forward that his branch had sub mitted it. They felt that it was necessary. Mr. H. 0. ilellsop seconded. The present system, he considered, was not equitable, and resulted in a very large portion of profit being paid away in excess profits tax. Pie suggested as a substitute the excess property tax, and urged that the Government sliovOd be approached with a view of abolishing the excess profits tax. Captain Colbeck opposed any suggestion of an export tax and advocated the old system of taxation. The tax on unimproved land values, he considered, was very fair. Mr. Boddie moved as an amendment that a committee consisting of the president. Captain Colbeck, Messrs Mellsop. Keegan and the mover be set up to frame a resolution that eonld be dehated intelligently and that, it be considered to-morrow morning. Mr. Ohlson seconded thp amendment, which was eventually carried.