WITHHOLD RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 18

WITHHOLD RATES.

FARMERS' PROPOSAL.

ROAD UPKEEP PROBLEM.

" INIQUITOUS TAXATION."

(Br Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, Friday.

That fanners should withhold payment of all rates until the Government acceded to the long-standing Dominion-wide demand for derating of farm lands wm a motion before the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers' Union to-day.

The motion, which was described as providing for a strike of New Zealand farmers, was held over till next meeting.

Members declared that the system of transport had drastically changed in recent years and that everyone now u&ed roads along which fetock \\as seldom driven on foot.

The rating of land for the upkeep of roads was described as an iniquitous tax. Farmers in England had taken the stand outlined in the motion, and had been relieved of the payment of rates.

The matter was brought forward by Mr. G. Chewings, who moved that a petition be circulated among farmers demanding from the Government relief from the payment of all rates, failing which relief, the farmers should withhold payment of those rates until the Government had acceded to their demands.

The statement was made that 90 per cent of farmers •would probably 6iga the petition.