A SINGLE TAX

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 124, 26 May 1920, Page 7

A SINGLE TAX

PROPOSAL UNPOPULAR WITH FARMERS (FROM OUR OWN COKKIISPONDENT.) FEILDING, This Day; The incidence of taxation was among the numerous questions discussed at the Farmers' Provincial Conference to-day. A single tax proposal, placing ihe burden of taxation on the land, found little support, and was withdrawn. Mr. W. P. Nielsen (Tiakitahuna) moved : "That the present system of taxing on amount of income derived from the land be amended, and that revenue required should, be raised wholly as land tax. graduated according "to value of property.. The present system, instead of encouraging production, penalises - the former who tries to make the most off his place. He stated that the present system was responsible for many anomalies—was unfair and unjust.

Mr. J. A. M'Leary (Palmerston North) said that to tax a, man on his production was wor.se than fixing prices. It was ridiculous to tax a- man more because he was willing to grow more. 'Mr. J. M. Whitaman' (Upper Hutt) said that owing to the: complications of the present system a new profession, that of compiling income-tax re.turns, had sprung into existence. Many a farmer had stated that, the money paid to the professional compiler of his tax returns was the best investment he had ever made. Mr. W. H. Booth (Feilding) said he would oppose the remit, as he regarded a tax on incomes as the most equitable. The man who made most money should pa.y most tax. Mr. T. Moss said the remit, which advocated, as it did, a single tax, was extremely dangerous, placing the whole* burden on the land. He was sure that the full meaning of the remit had not been considered. Other speakers stated that it would be disastrous if such a remit went forth from the Farmers' Union. It was playing into the hands of the Socialists* and the Sing'.e-taxers. The mover of the remit said he was ."urprised to j hear farmers state that they were satisfied with the present system of taxation. However, as the general wish had been expressed, he would withdraw the remit.