CUT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INSTEAD OF INCREASING TAXES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7297, 6 August 1930, Page 6

CUT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INSTEAD OF INCREASING TAXES

Fanners’ Demands REPREESENTATIVE CONFERENCE IN CAPITAL' Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. A representative meeting of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Shecpowncrs’ Federation and Counties’ Association discussed the taxation proposals to-day. Mr. W. J. Poison, who presided, said they were profoundly dissatisfied with tLe taxation proposals. .The position of the country desperately needed measures of economy. We had to get back to pre-war methods instead of carrying on with post-war methods. The Budget might have been practically nearly balanced with tho exercise of more economies and with practically no increase in taxation at all. If increase was necessary it should be on luxuries. Mr. Jesscp (Gisborne) thought they should at least congratulate the Premier on his boldness. It would have been easy to suggest a loan. Among tho many spoakers, Mr. J. H. Joll (Hawke’s Bay) said there was only one thing to flo. That was to cut down the expense of running the country. Mr. Poison said farm prices were just about clown to pre-war level, but costs were 70 per cent, above. It was resolved: That this meeting approves of the suggested economics in railways and defence. That this meeting is emphatically of opinion that the Dominion’s financial position calls for immediate public economy. That this meeting strongly protests against tho continuance of Customs duties on the necessities of life and means of production, believing surti duties would defeat the only real remedy, which is greater production, through lower level of costs. That this meeting expresses satisfaction at the withdrawal by the Premier of the supertax on land imposed last year. That this meeting unanimously supports tho imposition of income tax in lieu of land tax. That this meeting considers that if additional taxation is required more revenue should be obtained by increasing taxation on luxuries. That as the time has arrived when the users should construct and maintain them, this meeting approves of the imposition of the proposed increased tax on petrol provided that the proceeds of such taxation arc used for relieving the" burden of rates in the maintenance and formation of roads and not for directly or indirectly relieving tho consol! dated fund. That this meeting asks the Premier to appoint a select committee, first to mako careful investigations into the important matter of tho derating of agricultural and pastoral lands in other countries, and second, to consider tho advisability of exempting all farm lands in the -Dominion from rates for roading purposes. That, as in the opinion of this meeting restriction on industry arising from the operation of the Arbitration Act is one of the prime causes of unemployment, the Government be again urgedto put into legislative effect the em ployers’ recommendations following on the Industrial Conference of 1928.