SHEEP OWNERS' UNION

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21386, 31 January 1935, Page 16

SHEEP OWNERS' UNION

+ EXECUTIVE MEETING YESTERDAY The executive of the Canterbury Sheep Owners' Union met yesterday. Present: Messrs E. Hay (president), P. Peter, F. H. Courage, E. P. H. Burbury, J. F. Cracroft Wilson, R. Bethell, W. W. Mcßae, G. H. Grigg, G. Fulton, L. C. Gardiner, L. A. Rutherford, and T. C. Robinson. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Finance, wrote advising that careful consideration had been given by his department to the suggestion that the unemployment tax on incomes should be placed on the same basis as for income tax, but that he regretted that the Government would be unable to accede to the request as the unemployment tax was essentially an emergency. tax payable on incomes from year to year, to meet conditions as they and that for this reason, it was not considered desirable to allow the setting off of losses over previous years against future profits. The letter was received, and it was stated that the difficulties being faced by the Government with regard to unemployment taxation were fully recognised. One member stated that the supply of competent station cooks and bakers appeared to be short of the demand, | and asked whether apy instruction in this respect was given at any institution. The secretary undertook to investigate this matter, it being generally accepted -that >an adequate supply of competent station cooks was of great importance, especially in the back country. Instruction in Shearing The principal of the Christchurch Technical College wrote acknowledging receipt of a donation towards the cost of instruction given in blade shearing during the current year. Complaints were received from employers that in some cases learners from the classes had represented themselves as being fully qualified shearers, with a result that difficulty to both parties had arisen. An instance was quoted where five learners had booked stands, representing themselves as shearers and not as was usually the case, advising the employer that they were student shearers. The secretary was authorised to discuss the position with the principal, of the college, with a view to the prevention of such occurrences in future. Other details with regard to the instruction given were fully discussed, and the secretary undertook to interview Dr. Hansen on, the points raised. The incidence of hospital and charitable aid taxation, was discussed, arid the desirability of some revision of the present 'system was referred to by several speakers. The president pointed out that this matter was one which had been exercising the minds of those detrimentally affected for some years past, and after a full discussion, the secretary was authorised to take what steps he considered necessary to ensure that this matter wag included in the order of reference of the local body commission which the Government had stated its intention to appoint in the near future.

Farmers' Costs The secretary fully explained the present position with respect to the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act, and the steps taken by the Federation Executive in connexion with this legislation. The report was received. He also reported on the proposed legislation regarding the Mortgage Finance Corporation, and rehabilitation of farmers' finance. After a full discussion, it was agreed, to be essential that costs should be reduced, and that a reduction in costs of capital to the farmer would be of very great assistance. It was agreed that the Federation Executive should be requested to give every possible assistance to the Government in its effort to assist farmers under existing conditions, provided the point of equity as between the contracting parties was not ignored. Reports were received from North Canterbury of heavy losses of sheep which could not be accounted for in the ordinary' way, the suggestion being that sheep stealing was prevalent in parts of North Canterbury. The secretary stated that he had received complaints from time to time under this head, but Uhat in marty cases advice of the losses was received at too Jate a date for effective action to be taken. The difficulty of dealing with such cases was recognised by sheep owners generally.