FARMERS AND THE WAR

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17076, 27 January 1916, Page 4

FARMERS AND THE WAR

BISHOP JULIUS’S CRITICISM

FARMERS’ UNION IN REPLY. HOW TO RAISE THE MONEY. At yesterday’s meeting of the Partners’ Union Bishop Julius’s strong comments on mean farmers in his sermon at the Cathedral on Sunday ci cuing were discussed. Mr C. H. Ensor said that the Bishop had made some remarks which lie considered wero rather uncalled for. It had brought up tlie big question of raising war finance in an equitable manner. Mr Ensor quoted some remarks as follows:—“ There arc, of course, shirkers—there will always be shirkers, but think of the enormous number of men who have come out of obscurity and have taken the lead and have taken their places in the trenches—men .second to none, men that were never dreamt of, easy-going men with no particular ability that was apparent. Again, they heard of the meanness of people, of' farmers who wero making much money and giving as little as possible. As to sacrifice, tlicy didn’t know what it was. Of course there would be always such people to the end of tho chapter. But had his hearers realised the number of men throughout Canterbury whom no one dreamt would have given sixpence, who had given and given and given?” Mr Ensor said that that was pretty strong, and had caused a great deal of comment. He had been approached by several people who thought something should be said to refute them. Air i!insor said that the figures had shown that land paid half the war tax, the Farmers’ Union had given £SOOO worth of produce and also given generously at the time of the Queon Carnival. Tho prices of wool and wheat were higher certainly and some large sums of money ivero being made, but this was not true in every instance. He gave one particular instance. Mr George Forbes, M.P., had told him that he, in common with many other farmers in the district, was not getting as much for his wool this year as. previously. Continuing, Air Ensor said that lie did not wish to bring up the eternal question of town and country, but tho time had come to face the position squarely. There was an enormous burden placed on the country through the war, and it was time that things ,vero run on a fair basis of money and men. As far as money was concerned, all present taxes to raise war finance should be done away with, and , every person in the country compelled to subscribe on an income tax basis. He would immediately put into operation such a tax and further would reduce the<Jiniit from £3OO to £157, tho same as Australia. This was the only fair way, the wealthy would have to pay proportionately with the poor and no one would escape. Money was needed to end the war and afterwards to see that tlie country did its duty to the returned soldiers. Regarding tho arguments that farmers were not doing their share in his county and ir. many other counties the rate roll was accessible and ’ farmers were paying in proportion to tho amount of their rates. lie recommended that tho matter should be brought forward at the next conference. i Air B. Seth-Smith said that he had heard the Bishop’s sermon on Sunday and ho thought Mr Ensor had got hold of the wrong end of the stick. The Bishop hail certainly made some, strong comment on the subject of farmers who evaded their responsibilities, but lie had only taken these men as an illustration and had afterwards qualified many of his remarks. The paper had left that part of it out and had taken only that which criticised tlie tanners. The Bishop had said that there were many farmers who would not pay but there were many others who made up for them. Air W. T. Lit! agreed that there were individual instances of meanness on tho part of farmers, but it was unfair to brand them all alike. It was agreed that the matter should bo made a subject for the next conference.