FARMERS AND TAXATION

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144850, 30 November 1915, Page 6

FARMERS AND TAXATION

THE NEW SYSTEM. A special meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday afternoon,- and other farmers were present by invitation. Those present were: Executive—Messrs. E. Dunn (president), J. Swindlehurst, H. HJiuxton, A. E. Washer, J. S, Barrow, F. Mills, A. Hunter, H. Hodge, It. Eambie, S. Norris. Visitors—. Messrs. G. V. Pearce, M.P., J. N. Gamlin (Kaupokonui), J. Walker (Waverley), J. Prestige (Matapu), H. Dictcio (Waverley,), M. J. Goodson, and A. Mitchell (Hawera). The President said he would ask the vice-president to explain why the meeting nad been convened, as it was Mr. "Washer who had requested him to call the meeting. Mr Wasncr explained that the meeting had come about through an informal gathering of farmers at the Hawera Show. The farmers felt that the questions contained in the new in-come-tax forms were drastic, and were such that the majority of farmers could not answer; in fact, the form was very difficult for farmers to fill in accurately, and the informal meeting thought that the executive of the Farmers' Union should be called together to discuss the matter and, if necessary, to protest against being asked to fill in so difficult a return.

Mr. G. V. Pearce, M.P.. who was received with applause, said that a number of farmers had approached him on tho Hawcra show grounds in regard to tho new income-tax returns, pointing out that they could not understand tho form which ‘they were required to fill in. Me had endeavoured to explain the position, lint he might sav plainly that the department were aching the farmers to do an impossibility, because the large majority of the fanners would he unab.c to make up the returns correctly. In schedule It in the lorm to ho lim'd up farmers were required to give a statement as to the number and value of stock on hand as at April 1, JOH, a vear and eight months ago. Now-, to aslc farmers to supply this information u hen the majority never kept books was to a*k them to do an impossibility. Mr. Newton King had told him that many farmers were coming to h'm because they were unable to tu.-iWo up the returns, and he (Mr. Pearce) suggested that it would he a good thing tor the Taranaki Provincial lilxecutivc. as representing the farmers, to take action in tho matter. The executive was the proper organisation to express the opinions of the farmers, and as farmers would be penalised pretty heavily if they filled up the forms incorrectly, he would suggest that tho meeting should telegraph to tho Prime Minister protesting against having to fill in the present form, which probably 0!) out of 10Q would never till in absolutely correctly. But it would be better still if tho executive sent a deputation to Wellington to interview the Prime Minister. It was a great pity that tho farmers had not boon able to protest against the Bill embodying the taxation proposals when it was before Parliament, but it was hurried through, and there was no opportunity given to tho representatives of the farmers to consider tho clauses of the Bill. He fancied ho was the only one in the House who had protested against the Bill being put through hurriedly. Ono of tho worst features of the Act was that it was made retrospective so far as the now taxation was concerned, but this, ho was afraid rould not be altered except by Parliament. But something might he done to give tho farmers a simpler form to fill in. The President said that as he was not a mixed farmer he could fill up the form pretty accurately, but ho knew that there wore many questions which farmers would not be able to answer accurately. It was a great mistake, ho thought,‘to make tho tax retrospective, because it was known that a largo number of farmers who were engaged m mixed farming, and who did not keep books, would never bo able to make up their returns correctly. He might mention, so far as a war tax was concerned, that the executive bad never been opposed to a tax for war purposes, because farmers knew the necessity for such a tax. Ho was afraid nothing could bo done this year in removing the retrospective proposals, except to pass a resolution ot protest. Any alteration to the Act could only be made by Parliament, but they might gel a simpler form to fill in their returns. Mr. Dickie said that a largo and influential meeting of farmers had been held at AVaverlcy the previous day (Fridav), when they’passed a resolution protesting against the present form which the farmers were asked to fill up. , Mr. Mills said ho was sure that farmers did not object to a tax for war purposes, but they objected to tho present form of assessing tho tax, as it was very difficult for them to make up an absolutely accurate return, Mr. Hunter said the retrospective part of the tax was iniquitous—to ask farmers to pay an increased tax four or five months before the war began, when other members of the rommumty did not have to pay it untiUtwo years later, was not fair. Then, again, a farmer’s year might close on a- month different ‘to when the income returns had to be sent in. and he bcmld foresee trouble there. Mr. Lanibie said ho was also sure that farmers did not wish to evade taxation for war purposes, but the present form which they were asked to fill in was beyond most farmers, the \ ablation Department had all particulars ot tho farmers’ land, and ho thought they ought to bo in a position to send in a ■‘bill’’ from the office without much difficulty. He supported the proposal to send'a deputation to Mollmgton to interview the Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance. After some further discussion tho President moved the following resolution- “That this executive of the Fanners’ Union, as representing tho farmers of Taranaki Province, strohgly protests against some of the questions asked in the income-tax return forms, as it is absolutely impossible for farmers to fill up the form correctly, and as a heavy penalty is imposed if the returns aro not filled up correctly; also, this executive suggests that ir? returns be delayed until consideration is given to the matter by the Government.’’ Mr. 'Washer seconded the motibn, which was carried. The President also moved a further resolution: “That this executive is very willing to agree to any fair and necessary taxation for war purposes, but objects to tho income-tax and also to its retrospective principles.” Mr. Swindlehurst seconded the resolution, which was carried. An executive committee, comprising

Messrs. Mills, Hunter, Washer, and the secretary (Mr. J. B. Sim) was appointed to deal with this matter, and, if necessary, to arrange for the Taranaki members of Parliament to interview the Ministers of the Crown.

It was decided that the foregoing resolutions bo telegraphed to the Premier and the Minister for Finance and the Dominion president and provincial executives.

The meeting closed with votes of thanks to Mr. Pearce and visiting farmers.—Hawera Star.