FARMERS’ UNION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144146, 16 July 1913, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION.

. THE LAND QUESTION. WELLINGTON. July 15. ’ At the Farmers’ Union conference, a remit was carried expressing approval of the land legislation of the present Government, and asking the Government to extend the deterred payment, system to holders of all renewable and o.r.p. leases when granting the freehold, and it was also decided to ask that ,rural endowment land which failed to find occupiers should bo opened for selection on the optional tenure, the proceeds to be re-iuvestod for endowment purposes. ' - ' It ’ was also ’ decided ‘to recommend that the Advances to Settlers’ Department should regard pastoral licenses as gazetted on April 3, 1913, as good security te enable lessees to obtain State aid. ' It was also resolved: “That the attention of the Government be directed I to the disparity between taxation levied on land and: that on incomes and other property, and to request that the same be rectified,” and “That it be a recommendation to the Minister of Lands that a settler should bo relieved of the graduated land tax upon land sold as from date of sale, and that it be not calculated as from March 31, as is now done.” A remit was carried: “That owing te the increased value of land, the penal clauses of the graduated land tax are now being applied to small farmers who cannot be accused of blocking close settlement, and that this conference is of opinion that tho graduated land tax should not apply to areas of less value than £IO,OOO, and that from the amount of the graduated tax payable a substantial exemption be made for each child in the taxpayer’s family.” Other remits carried were:—That farmers he urged to use their best endeavours to frustrate the single-tax proposals being urged by certain interested associations and individuals j that the Death Duties Act ho amended so as to exempt gifts made for charitable purpose or public benefit; that the terms of the Land Act bo so altered as to permit of the value on a 5 per cent, basis of any special rates paid on such lands for reading, etc., being reckoned as improvements; that in cases where the farmer considers his valuations too high, and lodges an objection, a valuer with local knowledge be appointed to act with the Government valuer.