FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15488, 14 December 1910, Page 3

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

to the jsnrroH. Sir,—lt was quite refreshing to find in your criticism of my last letter that I had suggested an idea which commended itself to you, i.o.j that of giving a landowner exemption from at least graduated land tax if he voluntarily leases his land for closer settlement. If the " Lyttolton Times''' and the Farmers' Political Protection Party can bring about a reform, of this kind and break clown the barrier of taxation which exists between landowners and the hundreds of young New Zcalandevs who ha.ve saved enough money to lease a small farm, then land settlement will increase ten times faster than it is doing at present. Wo can. also keep in view the suggestion for the " encouragement of production " by giving farmers exemption from land tax according to the nmount of wages paid during the year for which land tax assessment is made. That is to say, if a farmer has a farm worth £SOOO and spends £IOOO in wages, he will pay land tax on £4OOO. I "wish to thank you for the ventilation you have given these subjects. It has been of great assistance in awakening farmers to the necessity there is for them, to combine, for their own protection, and now that the Farmors' Political Protection; Party .-is firmly established. I will wish your columns a fond farewell for the pr;e.?ent. —I am. etc.. ! -G. H. ENSOR.