Incomes of Farmers

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 105, 27 January 1933, Page 11

Incomes of Farmers

Sir, —There has been considerable discussion lately that the farming community are up against it and are in a worse position this year than last. In conversation with a farmer recently I was informed that his returns for butterfat to the end of December from the same herd amounted to the whole of his last season’s, largely due to the fact that nature had assisted him with a larger productive yield, although he was receiving a lower price. Wool and meat have been advancing slowly, and farmers have also received assistance from the National Expenditure Act in reduction of interest, rent, and rates. In these circumstances why the immediate hurry pegging the exchange by Order-in-Council? Could not the Government receive from the. Commissioner of Taxes a return based on an analysis of income tax returns showing the percentage of fanners who show increases in income for the season 1932-33 compared with 1931-32, also another return from the same source giving percentages for various classes of business? The points for and against high exchange have been so ably placed before your readers recently that there is no need for me to reiterate. What Ido and mostly strongly object to is additional taxation, and in spite of being whipped into line I trust that members of Parliament will vote against any further increase. even if it does mean the defeat of the Government, with the alternative, a Labour Government. We do not want another election on account of the cost, but it appears that, this might be the cheapest, way for the Dominion to settle this debatable question. At the same time a referendum could be taken on the exchange question.—l am, etc., “COALITIONIST.” Wellington, January 26.