“FORGET TAX”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26771, 14 May 1948, Page 4

“FORGET TAX”

CALL TO WORK FARMERS’ COMPLAINT PRODUCTION NEEDED P.A. INVERCARGILL, May 13. “ I would ask fanners to try to forget about taxation and to larm their properties so as to get the maximum possible production from them,” said Mr W. E. Hale, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Board, at the Southland ward conference board to-day. He was replying to a delegate who said it was not much use the Government appealing for increased production if milking more cows just meant paying away extra money in taxation. No one was going to produce more just for the sake of paying taxes. “I have often heard this question raised. Farmers say if they increase production they will have to pay extra returns to ‘ Uncle Walter,’ ” Mr Hale continued. “It is a very unfortunate question which is raised because increased production is wanted for the sake of the British people who are having a very hard time. I was in Britain in 1946 and again last year, and between my two visits the position in the Old Country had deteriorated. “I know New Zealand farmers have theh* difficulties,” Mr Hale said. “There is a shortage of labour because young men are going into other walks of life where they have higher pay and shorter hours. Whatever benefit the 40-hour week may have been to the country as a whole it nas been a curse to the primary industries. As for taxation, it would not be so bad if all paid their fair share, but I have suspicion some people whose affairs are not so open as those of farmers are not paying their fair share. However, the aim of the farmer should be to farm his property to its best advantage and try to forget about taxation.” „ _ . Mr Hale read a letter from the British Minister of Food thanking New Zealand farmers for their efforts to increase production. He added that in his discussions in London he found officials of the British Ministry of Food were fully conversant with conditions in the countries that were supplying Britain with food. He had promised the Ministry a 10 per cent, increase in New Zealand dairy produce this season. When he made the promise, prospects looked favourable but production had not come up to expectations because of unfavourable weather during the summer and autumn over a large part of the country. The result ■ was that it now looked as if the increase would be only 4 or 5 per cent. “ I thought I might get a blast from the British Ministry for promising too much, but instead we have this letter of thanks, and I think that shows officials of the Ministry are fully conversant with the position in New Zealand,” Mr Hale added.