FARMERS' UNION-.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17595, 27 September 1917, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION-.

N.ORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH

The North/Canterbury, branch of the Farmers' Union*'met yesterday, Mr D. Jones presiding.. - «;' ''' . - ■•" V The secretary, of ■ the Southland .Executive forwarded, a resolution protest-, ing against the carrying of the Finance; Act proposals regarding the tax on taxes. ".'•.; L-„"\ j The chairman said that the Bill had been rushed through Parliament, and no adequate .discussion had beeu afforded. In no part of the Empire were a man's debts taxed as in -New Zealand; - ( * ..-..-■■. ..'... . Mr G. W. Leadley moved that, no sums; paid by way of land tax should be assessible for income tax. He remarked that , a strong protest had been made in Ashburton. Mr G. Sheat said that the lender and the borrower .paid, in respect of the same transaction, and the _ borrower was not allowed to regard his taxes as expenditure. He knew of one man whoso taxation -had, risen from- 2s 9d to £57, and another's > from £6O ■to £231... i :.■ ' X ... -,:.-.'. / .. The motion was carried.<." -

Correspotfdence was received from the Prime Minister and Mr A'. Boyle in reply * to- the union's motion re-garding-the time allowed for.the lodging of appeals.-' It was stated that provision was made to extend the time to seventy-two. hours. ';■"'. '

On Mr C. H. Elisors motion the. correspondence was referred to the "Wool Growers'Committee. Tlie Gisborhe branch of the union wrote: regarding the American Meat Trust; the need for classification of wool ;• and the appointment,of a Minister of Commerce.

It.was decided to defer the matter for future consideration. ''■' ■■

■The-'Prime Minister wrote, 'stating that the supply of cornsacks for next season,.had already received his-atten-tion..'"' ' , • '■; ~:'■■■; -■',-. . ' ;■■; '■ "*-■

A telegram was received from MrE. Jack; urging the reinstatement of the Requisitions ..Committee, or, alternately, that the producers should have a voice iii the local management- of the Commandeering/of'produce.' It was not in the producers' interests that the Imperial Supplies Department should exercise sole control,' unless. directed' by men in whom the farmers had confidence. ■ '

Mr G. G.,.Newton urged that the farmers should, have representation. •Mr; Leadley ' said that'" the producers were not represented on the Requisitions Committee before.

Mr •. Njßwton' replied that the committee was.expected to make tho, best bargain .possible, for producers, s-- '■■._ . , /Mr Gardiner" "said that the matter should not be in the hands of somebody at Home. ■:'.'.'.."' ' .■•■■''.*

The 'president said that, he presumed the matter. was in tho hands of MrMassey' and Mr .MacDonald, but the telegram, was so uncertain that further information should be sought on the subject. He saw.no advantages in the Requisition'/Committee.; , The matter was referred to a subcommittee.' ';"■/'' ''-'.'.'.:"

-ASHBURTON, ■•'At a special-meeting of'the Ashburton branch' of -the Farmers' Union on Tuesday, a- communication was received from the North Canterbury':executive stating 'a sub-committee 'had recently met.a deputation from the Agricultural Labourers' Union, and the committee recommended that the' request of that-union that Ihe farmers /should co-operate with the farm/labourers to Secure the, gazetting by thV "Government of the- agricriiWßal labourers' accommodation be agreed to if 'X after investigation by the executive, the regulations were considered to be reasonable: Copies of resolutions which had been adopted were also enclosedi ■After discussion it was decided,' on the motion of Mr W, T. Lill, seconded by Mr G., W, Leadley. that the committee has no recommendation to make with regard to the rates .of--pay , for harvest labour, but adheres to the'principle of freedom of contract,;A letter was received from the executive of : the'North Canterbury Union, asking .all branch presidents to immediately, communicate with their parliamentary , representative,- urging him to: aso his utmost endeavours to. have removed'the proposed' tax .on mortgages, 'as it would severely ana unjustly penalise the farmer who was heavily mortgaged. Mr Lill said the farmers were m a bad position through the tax on mortgages. The war had taken . moro efficient men from the farmers than from any other calhhg," and the .men now offering for work were.inefhcieuu, and the farmer had to pay.an extortionate wage. The Finances-Act -.was the greatest exposition of/single tax that-hi! ever been before Parliament. In addition to, all the difficulties ot labour '/the farmer had to face the tax on.tnortgages.' He maintained that it all/forms of capital wore, taxed aiccordino- to the tax on land, the income or the country in this direction weald be £o0,ooo,oo6.;' '. ■. ■■■. ... Mr Leadley. moved—" That this meeting stronglv protests against -the unjust provision of the Government's taxation measures in the matter, of charging income tax on amounts paid for land tax. The committee is of opinion that to? amounts vaid bv way of land tax should not be assessable for income tax. . Mr Lill seconded the motion, which was carried. ~ v .' ;