Labour’s farm policy

Press, 2 September 1980, Page 20

Labour’s farm policy

Sir, — The' Deputy Leader of the Opposition, in an address to the annual convention of agricultural scientists, outlined the Labour Party’s policy on land. Mr Lange talks of “stagnant farm production” but not being a man of the land maybe he is . not aware of the tremendous boost this Government' is making • possible for future increased production. Any Government in this country has no moreright to “step in and control unwarranted amalgamation and land aggregation” than it has to determine the size of Mr Lange’s legal practice. Any business has the freedom, at. least while National is in power, to develop to full potential, without Mr Lange or his party dictating the terms. — Yours, etc, : (MRS) M. GRAHAM. August 30, 1980.

Sir, — Labour’s, farm pob icies. outlined by Mr Lange to the annual Convention of Agricultural Science have seridus implications for the farming- community. Mr Lange’s claim that Labour would halt land prices when the last - Labour Government doubled theirt .in three years is ominous. His claim that financial institutions would be instructed not to lend on so-called over-valued land really means that farmers would be forced to lose the effect of inflation on their properties when selling but would still pay the inflated price for any home they bought. Asset taxation, ..or. as it is better, known, “capital gains tax,” Mr Tizard said Labour would not use. His successor as deputy leader -says otherwise. Labour policies would penalise those who have put a lifetime . into farming and their sons who might wish to follow oh. —- Yours, etc., J. F. GARVEY. August 28, 1980.