FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16097, 10 December 1915, Page 9

FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

INCOME TAX EXPLAINED.

! [BT TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] I AsHßomur. Thursday. A conterexce of delegates from all Canterbury branches of the Farmers' Union was held to-day, Mr. G. W. Leadley presiding. The following resolutions wera carried : —That notwithstanding the fact that the Government has stated that the system of purchase, etc, of frozen meat, adopted last year, is to be repeated tins year, the conference strongly urges that payment on the hooks within 21 days should be adopted as the most equitable system; that the embargo be taken off the slaughtering of young cattle in New Zealand, considering the position in North I Otago and Canterbury; that freezing com- | panies doing business in Canterbury should be asked to state on what principle they intend to allocate the space this season. In the afternoon the chairman introduced Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. D. G. Clark, Commissioner of Taxes, who had I come from Christchurch to address the ; ! gathering. The chairman submitted the j before-mentioned resolutions to the Minis- ! ter, who made a sympathetic reply. Sir • Joseph Ward explained the Government's ; position, and undertook to place the resoI lutions before the Prime Minister and the Minister for AgricultureSir Joseph Ward delivered an address explanatory of the Land and Income Tax; Act, and of the returns required in connection with it. He answered a number of questions. The Commissioner of Taxes went into details regarding the compilation of the returns. After Sir Joseph Ward and the Commissioner had retired, it was resolved, " That the North Canterbury and South Canterbury executives- of the union draw up a report on the taxation law and submit it to a combined meeting for confirmation and despatch later to the Government." The conference then became considerably reduced in numbers. It was unanimously resolved that the attention of the Government be called to the fact that it is impossible to ship grain to Europe under existing conditions, and that the conference appeal to the Government for assistance towards bringing about reasonable freight charges. By six votes to four it was Tesolved that fee attention of the Government be called to the fact that the only reliable way of getting the acreage of grain was the old system, abolished four years ago, i.e., by an enumerator calling at every farm. The following motions were carried almost without discussion :" That a uniform tariff be fixed on all farm produce between Australia and New Zealand; that freezing companies be asked to give monthly quotations for skins; that the conference recommends the Farmers' Union to consider the advisibility of forming one meat company for the Dominion."