FARMERS AND WAR EXPENSES

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 112, 12 May 1916, Page 7

FARMERS AND WAR EXPENSES

ARE THEY BEARING A FAIR SHARE?

fBT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.)

■■ . • • ..'AUCKLAND, This Day. The question of war taxation was discussed, yesterday by the Provincial Kxecutive of the Farmers' Union. Mr., John Allen, delegate to the annual conference, asked ' for. a direction on the j matter. He stated that Jie. had found i many broad-minded men favour an ex^ port tax on wool, meat, and dairy produce. Another proposal was a "(Erect, tax on stock held by farmers at per head !of sheep and cattle. . Mr. Allen said :i "I do not know whether they realise it,-: but farmers are not bearing their faiiy share of war expenses—l mean in pro-> portion to_ the capitalist they do not payj i sufficient in taxes." „ ,■ Mr. E. D. Duxfield: What about our^ road tax? We pay heavy 'taxes iofi roads. : Mr. Allen: Yes, but the farmer uses.,the roads and the tax is not anything; .like that paid by the capitalist. ' „ iTr. J. Bod'die: I take it, Mr. Allen*, that you favour a direct tax on exportjj rather than a stock tax? Mr. Allen: Yes; that is so. Mi". A. A. Bowler: I think thai financier who got the idea about taxingr! sheep and cows got 3 Very crude idea. ' ■ Mr. J. B. MaekgiU was of opinion^ that a .'tax on sheep and cows wouldq probably "meet the case. . Mr. A. A. Boss (chairman): It is evi-w dent we are not going to, agree. IS would be better to take no action andi9 deal with. the matter in conference.