DERATING OF FARM LANDS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1930, Page 8

DERATING OF FARM LANDS

•‘PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT” REQUESTS OF FARMERS’ UNION. REPLIES OF PRIME MINISTER. ißy Wire -Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. Representations were made to the Prime Minister recently by a deputation from the New Zealand Fanners' Union and the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation concerning various matters of topical interest. Mr. Forbes- promised to give consideration to the points raised and to communicate his reply. He has now done so.’ In a letter to Mr. AL J. Polson, M.P., in regard to the proposal that land tax should be abolished and be replaced, by income tax the Prime Minister points out that this involves an amendment to the present taxing legislation and states that the Government will consider the mutter when the financial proposals fertile year are under review. The exemption of farm lands from, rates for reading purposes was another? subject raised by the deputation, which suggested that the deficiency should be made good by an increase in the petrol tax. In this connection Mr. Forbes says he understands about £1,750,000 is involved and that to raise this sum by means of additional petrol tax would involve an increase of B<l a gallon in the duty. "To exempt rural landowners q - om a *l costs in connection with roads, with no obligations other - than those of motor’-, car owners or users,” states Mr. Forbes, “would undoubtedly result in preferential treatment from a financial point of view. I might add, however, that ®> small committee representing the Government departments concerned is at present investigating the incidence of taxation in respect of roads and highways generally.” / . ' . Replying to the proposal that the Arbitration Act be amended to provide for compulsory conciliation and optional arbitration the Prime Minister states that the Government fully recognises the desirability of industrial peace and that any proposal to improve the relationship between employer and employee will, receive earnest consideration. He points out that the request involves a radical departure from the existing system, and adds that the Government is accordingly unwilling to amend the Act until the matter has been thoroughly investigated. Unemployment was also discussed by the deputation and the Prime Minister "ave the assurance that the Government was exploring all avenues with a view to arriving at a satisfactory solution or the problem, . .