LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 564, 30 November 1915, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

FARMERS AND THEIR ACCOUNTS. To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir, — As reported in your paper of even date, the general topic among farmers, gathered in the. city this morning was adverse criticism on what I said re the ability of farmers to fill in correctly their income tax - returns. . - ' What I said at the meeting was that a third,of the. farmers did' not; keep books, and therefore were not able or fit to give an accurate state- ~ ment'of income and expenditure for the year April, 1914, to March, 1915, With every respect to you, sir, in your leader you inferred that I had overstated the case; but if you will come round a farming district with me I think I can prove to you that my statement is correct. . ~ Since Wednesday quite a number of farmers have asked me how they could possibly fill the form in*accurately, and in many cases they declared the ? figures-would have to be ' only approximate. This return asks for figures from April 1, 1911, to March 31, : 1915. Can you quote me any other return that has been asked for whiclvWent so far back in me how we are to give this rbturn, if we have v not kept books, you will be greatly benefiting us. It seems to us/as farmers, from the tone of the papers and the correspondence, that we must be making fortunes; but I should like to see these returns when sent in published, as it might enlighten the public somewhat as to the smallncss of some of the supposed profits made.—l am, etc., RICH. EVANS. ; Kaiapoi, November 27, 1915.