FARMS AND ROADS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1930, Page 7

FARMS AND ROADS

RATE EXEMPTION PROPOSAL MOTORISTS SHOULD PAY MORE [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, June 18. After a lengthy debate, a resolution in favour of exempting all farm lands from rates for roading purposes, the deficiency in finance thus created to be made good by increased petrol tax, was carried by the New Zealand Farmers’ Union Conference. The remit was forwarded by the Auckland branch, to which was appended the footnote: “We suggest that any deficiency in revenue due to the foregoing might be made good by an increase in the following, tax on licensed houses in proportion to liquor sold; small additional tax on all tickets for amusements and totalisator, increased tax on luxuries, increase under income tax. increased tax on foreign films, and the judicious elimination of waste in the administration of national affairs.” The Chairman (Mr. W. J. Polson), pointed out how rates had increased in recent years, but the whole position had changed as traffic was now run on national roads, goods being carried by motor transport in opposition to the railways. Through the heavy rates on land, a subsidy was provided to enable motors to compete with the railways, and taxpayers were then called upon to pay for the deficiency on the railways. They talked of giving the motorists a square thing, but farmers owned 50 per cent, of the motor cars, and ran longer distances than townspeople. Farmers were paying a large proportion of the cost which enabled motors to compete, with the railways, and it was time that the users were made to pay. If the cost of that transport were increased, it would put back a lot of heavy goods traffic on to the railways where it belonged. That would save the roads and decrease the cost of the maintenance ; burden.

“There is no danger that we shall get this reform in a hurry,” continued the chairman, “even if we are unanimous. If we show the wishy washy weakness we have shown to-day, we shall get nowhere. Surely we can stick together over this and show the country that we are determined that a necessary reform of this kind shall be brought into operation.” Mr. ,A. A. Ross (Auckland), said there were men in the backblocks who had not got roads, yet it had been suggested that they should proceed gradually, but that was a dangerous step, as they might increase the petrol tax and still not get the re-i ating which was the principal object of the remit. Mr. O P. Lynch said there should be some safeguard by means of the allocation of tax. If they asked for partial de-rating they woud get an inflated tax but, not de-rating, which was what they wanted, so that they could reduce the costs of production. The amendment that lands be partly exempt from rates for road purposes was defeated. The motion was then put and carried by 45 votes to 18. The following remit was also carried: That for the purpose of permanent road and bridge construction, and maintenance on main highways and secondary roads, and after allowing a reasonable reserve for contingencies, the balance from the petrol, tyre and motor taxation should be capitalised and take the place of the Government grant of £200,000 a year now granted to the Highways Board for capital expenditure, but this grant should be diverted to the Public Works Department as an extra grant for expenditure on purely backblock roads under the automatic . allocation.

POWER BOARD LOANS.

WELLINGTON, June 18

After a brief discussion the Farmers’ Union Conference decided that the present system of voting on Power Board loans was iniquitous. It was resolved that the Power Boards’ Act should be amended to provide that on the question of loans, the franchise should be the same as that provided in the Counties Act, which provided that each voter had votes in accordance with the rateable value of his property. A further remit was carried that representations be made to the Government in an endeavour to obtain more equitable charges to the consumer for electric power as better city and country areas. The Conference also advocated a Wairoa remit that when the guarantee to an electric power supply,, exceeds sixty pounds the land shnr.k'l be excluded from the inner rating area, and an availability rate should not be charged. The danger of unearthed wire fences was stressed when the Conference considered a remit: “That, having regard to the fact that electric pov.ei boards have created the liability m respect of power lines crossing or paralleling wire fences, the Power Boards or Public Works Depaiimont should accept the responsibility oi earth wiring such fences as a protection against, the possible loss of the lives of human beings or live stock. The remit was carried.

TO-DAY’S DISCUSSIONS. WELLINGTON, June 19. The Farmers’ Conference to-day considered a number of remits dealing with unemployment, and these being an expression of all sorts, ol views, some opposed to the others, a committee was set up to bring something out of them acceptable to the conference. The committee is Messrs Colbeck, Matheson, Johnston and Mulholland. A Southland remit requesting the Government to compile definite tables showing the trend of farming rosts since 1914, and export values, with a view to trying to adjust farmers income and expenditure was carried. WOMEN’S DIVISION. NEW BRANCH ORGANISATION.

' WELLINGTON, June 18

The women’s division of the Farmers’ Union Conference was continued to-day, Mrs C. C. Jackson presiding. Remits were passed agreeing that in future tho banner should be held by the branch which gains the largest number of new members for the year, as some districts were difficult to or-

ganise in one month; also that.this year should be a special year for oi ganising, and with this end in view r a fund should be opened for one year onlv Branches are to be urged to give voluntary contributions to this fund, as it would eventually strengthen the division’s financial position. A special organising committee was also set up. , Mrs W. H. Ward was appointed to write short articles on the division s activities, for printing and distribution to the new branches, to lie.p them during the first year. Any new branch that desires it may be adopted by an older branch to help it to get well established. It was also agreed that where desired two members of the local Farmers’ Union be appointed as advisory members of each branch. Speakers stressed the point that the women’s division was non-political. and a remit that ail printed matter should make this plain was carried.

The year's balance sheet was adopted.’ The officers elected before the luncheon adjournment were: — Dominion President, Mrs C. C. Jackson; Dominion Vice-Presidents: — South Island, Mesdames Niederer, Clark and Preston. North Island: — Mesdames McCorkindale, Wckham, .Toll. Dominion Treasurer, Mrs D. Simpson. Advisory Board, South island: Mesdames Derbyshire. Hall. Ward. North Island: Miss Polson, Mesdames Cocker and Wilson. The dearth of domestic help in country districts was raised, when a letter from tho Overseas League asking the division’s co-operation in the sending of farm girls to the Dominion by the League was discussed. A motion proposed by Miss Carter, that tho division co-operate with the Government in placing girls sent by tho League, and to act as a “Big Sister” to them, was carried.