SOUNDS FARMERS' UNION.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 272, 19 November 1919, Page 2

SOUNDS FARMERS' UNION.

QUESTIONS PUT TO POLITICAL CANDIDATES.

.The PeloTus Sounds anil District, Farmers' Union recently put the following questions t& tlie four aspirants to the Wairau scat: — 1. Are you in favor of the optional system of "land tenure, with the right of purchase? . 2. Will you oppose a. greater proportion of taxation being imposed on Land or incomes derived from land than that- placed on capital otherwise invested, or on incomes otherwise de>rived? 3. Will yoxi resist any_ legislation or action preventing receipt of the .market- prices, unless there is; evidence of exploitation or injurious effects of Trusts or combines? 4. Will you advoctato and support' legisJation giving power to prevent foi-ce, coercion, or intimidation being used by anyone, or any seotacai of the community, which would interfere or have a tendency to interfere with the frao and safe carrying on of any la-vful work, following or occupajtion ? 5. Will you be in fa,ror of Ibgklation being at. once enacted providing for the seven romaiining heads not already legislated for, and as suggested' by the N.Z. Padliamentary Committee in their report made 311 Ootobeay 1917, an order to keep tjho meat and shipping trusts from getting a strangle hold of New Zealand industries, via.: (1) To control monopolies? (2) To prevent unfair ti-ading by 1 freezing companies? (3) To deal witih shipping companies as common carriers? (4) To make the charges of such carriers just and reasonable? (5) To prevent undue preference? (6) To prohibit pooling .of freights and earnings? (7) To ' provide that- common ■narriers shall print and ex- * Mbit schedules of all rates •and charges? 6. Will you oppose the railway tariff being used for the purposes of protection ? , . ■ Mir Corry replied in the affirmative to every question except No. 6, to which his answer was "No." Mr Cooke replied ask.follows : — No. I—All Crown land to be added to the National Endowment. No. 2—Yes. In short, our systenji of taxation is upon monopoly; direct on income, indirect on luxuries, with a relieving of taxation on necessities of life. * No. 3—Yes; and will also assist lilie farmer by State Bank advance on the land at rate aiprox. 2| per cent. No. 4—Yes. No. -s—l will support any measure that will crush out of our Dominion the meat and; shipping trusts. AYe believe in State-owned ships for our coastal and overseas tn'ade and to run not for huge freight profits, but on business lin-ss to pay. No. 6—Mr Cooke desires further information. Mr Oooke also faivors early completion of the South Island Main Trunk lino, as he considers ifc ti6 be of national importance. The replies of "Messrs McCallum and Penny have not yet been received.