REMITS FOR THE FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 21

REMITS FOR THE FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON, May 8. The Levin branch of the Farmers' Union has resolved to forward a remit to the annual conference of the 'union protesting against the rating of farmers on the unimproved value of their lands instead of on income, as merchants and othera are taxed. The branch suggests that farmers should be taxed 5 per cent. on the capital value of their holdings after deducting all encumbrances in the shape of mortgages. The branch heartaly supports Mr Sedgwick's boy immigrant scheme. It also protested against the Maori councils' right to register dogs, expressing the view that the dual right possessed by the Maori councils and the pakeha local bodies has led to looseness, and made the task of tracing sheep more difficult than it need be. The meeting expressed the opinion that the union should take no official part in Tegard to either political party, as to do so would be disastrous. It finally protested against any official endorsement by the union of either the Farmers' Protection League or the Political ■ League of Canterbury or Auckland respectively, and affirmed. its opinion that no further Labour legislation should be passed by Parliament.