POLICY POINTS

Southland Times, Issue 23254, 17 July 1937, Page 8

POLICY POINTS

FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE TAXATION REFORMS URGED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 16. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union places principle before party, and supports no political organization, but it reserves the right to criticize the legislation of any political party. On the recommendation of the committee appointed to consider this question the foregoing was adopted as a plank in the union’s platform at the annual Dominion conference.

Among policy points adopted by the Farmers’ Union are the following: —

That except in regard to lands held for specific purposes the holder shall be entitled to acquire the freehold from the State undei' fair and reasonable conditions.

That the union strongly supports a national health insurance scheme and a universal national provident fund, and approves of the control of the issue and withdrawal of currency by national authority free of political control. The problem of river erosion and the preservation of bush in all the watersheds of the Dominion was discussed by the conference. Remits were carried urging the Government to take action, and several speakers spoke expressing alarm at the ever-increasing damage from river erosion, and urging that the Government should include in its Public Works policy a comprehensive scheme of effective river control.

Taxation reforms were urged at the conference. A remit was carried that women be exempt from the unemployment tax until they become eligible to benefit from the fund.

It was decided to urge that in taxation returns farmers should be allowed for renewals and replacements of crossings, bridges and other permanent improvements washed away by floods. A motion was carried that the land tax should be levied only on the equity in farmers’ holdings A remit was carried advocating a reduction in the unemployment tax rate because of the lessened number of unemployed reported, and the increased wages given.