“INHERENT ROTTENNESS”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17234, 14 April 1930, Page 4

“INHERENT ROTTENNESS”

LAND TAXATION SHEEPOWNERS ' STAND Political and industrial matters pertaining to the sheep owner were deali with in the annual report of the Poverty Bay and Past Coast Sheepowners’ Union on Saturday afternoon. The super ta.v wool board proposal and the industrial position were matters touched upon. This section of the report stated: POLITICAL

“ Die circumstances of outstanding importance which have engaged the attention of our executive have been the now taxation proposals of the (Jovermnent. These measures imposed a drastic increase of taxation upon a minority of shcepowners, in mcrease almost amounting in many cases to confiscation. The results of these increases cannot yet be fully calculated, since the innumerable applications for relief under the hardship clause have not yet been dealt with, but there) can be no doubt that- the legislation is harsh and ill considered; accentuating enormously (lie existing anomalies and injustices of our system of land taxation, and probably adding considerably to the volume of unemployment.

"The federation’s executive lias made every endeavor to prevent this policy being carried into effect, but lias failed even to modify it. There is, however, a redeeming feature which is that the ill effects not only upon the actual sufferers but also upon the whole land-owning class have exposed the inherent rottenness of our scheme of land taxation. Tt has been made clear that there is not, nor has ever been, any semblance of equality in the distribution of land taxation amongst the primary producers. It has been made abundantly clear that drastic reform is long overdue and members of the federation may rest assured that the executive will leave no stone unturned to ensure that reform is brought about and that reform will he in the direction of securing a just and equitable system of taxation.

“Another matter that may be considered as political is the question of wool control. The executive has set its face •against anything in the nature of compulsory control and is not in favor of the establishment of a wool hoard at the present juncture; but it is, nevertheless, the intention to co-operate heartily in movement for research into new and better methods of production and of manufacture, and for advertisement in order to stimulate consumption. Tt is confidently hoped that good will result from these efforts. INDUSTRIAL.

“It is pleasant to be able to state that there has been practically no evidence of industrial trouble during the past year. It seems reasonable to infer that the absence of friction is the result of the better understanding between the various parties in industry brought about by the Industrial Conference in 1928. This conference was largely due to the recommenations of the Sheepowners’ Federation and it is a matter for regret that it was not again convened in the following year when it is likely that even more beneficial results would have been attained.

“A circumstance arising indirectly out of the conference was the conclusion of nr. agreement with (lie Shearers’ Union on somewhat new lines whereby the cost of shearing is made to fluctuate with the riso anti fall of values. This agreement lias been the subject of a. good deal of adverse criticism, but its benefits will be appreciated just at present in the easing of our burden of costs just when relief is most needed. We hone that before long there will be a considerable rise in the price of wool and so a consequent rise in flic shearing rates.