POVERTY BAY PROTEST AGAINST LAND TAXATION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6991, 17 August 1929, Page 5

POVERTY BAY PROTEST AGAINST LAND TAXATION

RETRENCHMENT PREFERRED. Por Press Association. GISBORNE, Last Night. A representative meeting of farmers and businessmen today, convened by the Poverty Bay Sheepowners’ Federation, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the Farmers’ Union executive, expressed strong opposition to the Government methods of -improving the land taxation returns and the following motion was carried unanimously: “That this meeting protest? against the proposals of the Government regarding the increased taxation of land, as in our opinion, such proposals would have the effect of decreasing, rather than of increasing the number of men on the land. There is no doubt, that the lowering of the mortgage exemptions will seriously affect a large number of farmers who are only just recovering from the effects of the recent slump and we would respectfully suggest that from the economic viewpoint, retrenchment in expenditure would be of greater service to this country than increasing taxation.’’ One speaker termed the Budget a “get out Budget,’’ since it was designed to allow the Premier to get out of his election promises and also to force some farmers to get out of their properties. A further motion was unanimously carried to the effect that an annual conference should be held of delegates from (ho Sheepowners’ Federation, Farmers Union, and Employers’ Federation to discuss matters of mutual interest in relation to taxation. South Canterbury Joins Protesting Chorus TIMARU, Last Night. The South Canterbury branch of the Farmers ’Union to-day unanimously decided to support the resolutions passed by the Wellington branch, requesting that the penal rate should start from £20,000 unimproved value, instead of £12,000 and strongly protesting against income tax being imposed as an alternative in a good year. It was also decided to protest against the mortgage exemption being lowered. The Union further decided to be represented at the national convention in Wellington on Thursday noxt.