FARMERS’ PRODUCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 669, 22 May 1929, Page 6

FARMERS’ PRODUCE

CONFERENCE DECISION FORESTRY QUESTIONS The Farmers’ Union Conference agreed this afternoon to ask Mr. C. J. Pollard, one of the principals of Samuel Page and Son, of London, who is now in New Zealand, to address the conference on the distribution of New Zealand produce at Home. The conference decided also to allow Mr. Richmond to explain the relationship between the Workers’ Educational Association and the farmers. Both of these addresses will be arranged for later in the deliberations. Mr. Harcombe, on behalf of the Waiuku branch, moved that all areas of land over five acres in bona fide farm holdings that were under plantation be totally free from Land Tax. He said that the mere fact of a plantation being put on a property added to its improved value. Therefore land under plantation should not be taxed. Mr. Bradshaw' seconded. Mr. Walker did not agree with the remit, as the Question was too small to occupy the attention of the conference. Mr. Coulter also disagreed, as, if land up to £SOO in unimproved value was free from taxation, a plantation j of a few acres would not matter greatly. The remit was lost. PLANTING POOR LAND A remit, with alterations approved by the conference, came from the Waiuku branch in connection witn planting on poor lands. The altered remit said that all indigenous forest laud, uot including second growths, contained in bona fide farm holdings that cannot be economically farmed owing to the nature of such land, should have exemption ftom the Land Tax. Such exemption ! should cease if the forest is destroyed by any process, including fire, from the date of destruction. On repianttng, the land would again come under the exemption.

Mr. Harcombe, speaking to the remit, said he thought that the land was far better left alone in its natural state. Much money had been wasted m an attempt to grass land which should never have been touched. Mr. Harkness agreed that attempts had been made to grass a good deal of poor land. The removal of the forest had affected the rainfall in some districts. More care was needed in big grassing .operations. The remit was carried.