9/- A DAY ENOUGH FOR SINGLE MEN ON RELIEF WORK

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7295, 4 August 1930, Page 3

9/- A DAY ENOUGH FOR SINGLE MEN ON RELIEF WORK

Farmers’Views on Taxation Proposals ME. POL'SON UNDER FIRE The Union executive held its monthly meeting in Palmerston North on Saturday morning when the various proposals of the Government in regard to taxation were considered. Mr O. P. Lynch presided and there were also present Messrs H. Denton, J. T. Kent, B. G. Gower, J. Gloyn, H. J. McLeavey and A. J. McLcavcy. Wheat Quotations. In reply to a xecpiest to the New Zealand Wheatgrowcrs’ Co-operative Association for quotations in regard to wheat, pollard and bran, the union received a reply that pollard and bran were by-products of. the milling industry and were not handled by farmers. Wheat was quoted and a suggestion was made that the union take the necessary steps for obtaining wheat direct

the farmers next harvest when would be found® to bo a good deal lower than they were at present. The cost of putting wheat through the jstorc, that was receiving and delivering, was 2d per' bushel and in addition •to this the cost of holding worked out at one penny per bushel per month, which included cost of storage, insurance and interest. Under tlfe prevailing circumstances the lowest price that could bo quoted for wheat at present was 6s 2d per bushel f.o.b. Lyttelton. Mr Denton stated that it fras decided at the annual meeting of the Levin Daily Company to Tcquest tho Government to remove all tariff on stock foods. The chairman was appointed to gather further particulars and report to the next meeting. Remits to Dominion Executive. A circular letter asking tho union’s opinion on the various Government proposals provoked much discussion, after which the following resolutions were passed: — “That single men engaged on unemployment relief work have their wages reduced from 14s to 9s per day.” “That the union object to the land and income tax adjustments; also that, they would bo prepared to pay either the land, or the income tax but not the dual tax.” Speaking on unemployment relief, Mr Lynch declared that the Government works in the cities wero mainly for married men and they were keeping men in work so that their own interests would be safeguarded as a large number had Government loans on their houses. Mr Bond considered that 9s a day was any amount for a single man, and 14s was altogether too much. The chairman stated that he had received a wire that a special meeting of the Dominion executive would be held at Wellington on Thursday and he suggested that the Temits bo taken to that meeting. He thought nothing would be gained by discussing them further. Mr Kent asked if it was any good making any proposals for those which had been sent to tbe annual meeting at Wanganui had been thrown out like dirty water. Mr Bond said that he was in agreement with Mr Kent. They should be straightout and object to the treatment they had received. They had been against the additional £IOO for members of Parliament but it had been passed over. Mr Kent: We are being treated like children. Mr Poison had said that it was better to pay more for a better man and get better work.

Mr H. J. McLcavcv said he was strongly in favour of fewer members of Parliament with larger salaries and thus get the brains of the country. Mr Kent: Don’t you think that a year and expenses is enough. When the question of the additional petrol tax and arbitration proposals came before the meeting, Mr Kent moved that the executive endorse the Government proposal in regard to the petrol tax. A member remarked that Mr W. .T. Poison, head of the Farmers’ Union had voted against the proposal. Mi" Kent observed that he was voting with a different party every time. The chairman stated that Mr Poison was an Independent and he must have had some reason for doing so. Mr Kent said the sooner he (Mr Poison) was out of politics the better. Mr Kent was called to order and a motion that the proposals be left'with the chairman to use his own discretion at the Dominion executive meeting, was carried. Mr Lysnar’s Bill. Mr Lynch stated he had received a wire from the Gisborne Farmers’ Union asking support for Mr Lysnar’s bill, that the Meat Control Board be reduced in membership. The chairman explained that overseas interests were taking over works and he thought it was only a matter of time until they would be grabbing at other works such as thoso in the pig industry. Sir Bond moved that the wire be received, as the meeting was not in the position to judge. The chairman moved an amendment that it be supported. The amendment was carried.