SHEEP-OWNERS MEET

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 259, 29 July 1937, Page 12

SHEEP-OWNERS MEET

New Zealand Federation’s Annual Report GRADUATED LAND TAX Farmers’ opposition to (he graduated land tax is expressed in the report: submitted to the annual'meeting of the New Zealand Sheep-owners' Federation in Wellington yesterday by the executive of that body. “The executive has again endorsed the findings of the Land Taxation Commission, and ha’s lost no time in placing before the Minister of finance examples of the unfair incidence of the graduated land tax as it affects the farming community, in the hope that some relief from this taxation on one form of capital investment only will bo afforded,” the report states. It is noted with satisfaction that the whole-hearted advocacy by the, federation of Hie abolition of land tax and the substitution of graduated income tax was now being endorsed by chambers of commerce throughout the Dominion, and other farming organisations, which in past years have not been able to reach unanimity. “Your executive also is taking every opportunity to stress the undue burden on country districts of the incidence of hospital and charitable aid board taxation . . the report continues. “It is hoped that ;rs a result of the investigation now proceeding into taxation matters by the special committee appointed by Ihe Government, a more equitable basis for assessment of this, with other taxes, may be found.” The Wool Levy. The report also refers to the institution of the wool levy. “Sheep-owners will be glad to note that the work of the New Zealand Wool Publicity Committee will be under control of woolgrowers, the committee comprising one Government representative with four members representing the wool-growers . . ~” it states. “The wool-growers representatives on the board will, therefore, be able to use their discretion as to the disposal of the funds accruing from the levy, and it will be their duty to allocate portion of the funds (apart from those set aside for propaganda and publicity, by arrangement with Australia and South Africa), to those branches of research which, in their opinion, are best calculated to give direct and practical assistance to the wool-growing industry. . . . The committee is making no allocation for research from this year’s levy until the members elected by the wool-growers have assumed office. “It is gratifying to know that as a result of joint action by the three principal Empire wool-producing countries, means have been provided both for research and for some measure of protection against the harmful publicity indulged in during recent years by manufacturers of synthetic products.” Election of Officers. Delegates were present from Poverty Bay-East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago and .Southland, The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. 11. D. Aeland, Christchurch ; vice-president, Mr. J. S. Jessep, Wairoa; lion, treasurer, Mr. E. Hay, Canterbury. Delegates expressed satisfaction that the substantial rise in wool prices had made it possible to give added inducement io competent shearers and shed workers to carry on the work for the coming season. Cartage of Stock. Serious anomalies being stated to have arisen with respect to the cartage of stock under the Stock Act Amendment of 1930, it was resolved to wait on the Transport, Agricultural and Justice Departments with a view to securing an improvement under the transport regulations. After full discussion a motion was carried to oppose any suggestion of the standardisation of the size of wool packs, it being considered that any benefit suggested would be heavijy outweighed by the enormous additional expense and inconvenience to the industry which would result from the elimination of the larger sized packs. With respect to the proposed restriction on the weight of wool bales, it was agreed that it was impracticable to comply yrith a definite limitation of weight for the widely varying qualities and weights of wool. Imported Stud Merinos. A discussion look place ou the statement made in Australia that stud merino sheep imported into die Dominion from the Commonwealth were being re-exported, the suggestion being that the embargo on their export from Australia was detrimentally affected. It was explained by an importer of stud merinos that these sheep were imported from Australia under a bond that they would not be re-exported. In no case had this undertaking been broken in any way. It was resolved that the New South Wales Graziers’ Association be assured by letter that u<> .breach had been committed and that tlie utmost care would be taken to ensure that the objects of the embargo would not be defeated.