FARMERS’ UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 16639, 7 August 1930, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

SOUTH CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE.

A meeting of the Executive of the South Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union w r as held yesterday. Present —Messrs P. R. Talbot (president), J. A. Paterson, W. Buchan, J. Olliver, S. Henderson, A. Ward, D. M. France, A. Davey, J. Cleland, C. Dey, W. J. Black, A. F. Campbell, E. Bell, J. Trotter, and Jas. Smith. WHEAT DUTIES. The Tariff Protection Committee. Christchurch, which successfully dealt with the sliding scale of duty on wheat last year, wrote stating that it had again to take in hand the protection of the grain grower owing to strenuous opposition from the North Island to the present protection given. This year the position was aggravated by the fact that, in addition to wheat, other classes of grain were aimed at, in the form of an attack asking that the duty be removed from stock foods. The suport of the Union was asked by the Committee in the way of bringing the matter before the Members of Parliament by telegram, and by making certain that full support of southern Members was given to the question of retaining the present duty on wheat when it came before Parliament. It was also suggested that telegrams be sent to the Prime Minister asking for his support. The secretary reported that he had replied to the effect that he had already communicated with local members of Parliament and had received acknowledgments from them and also from the Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture, to each of whom he forwarded letters of protest against the removal of the wheat duties. A telegram and a. letter were received from the Prime Minister, acknowledging the receipt of a telegram from the Union containing representations made to him regarding the duties on wheat and flour. Writing on the same subject, Mr J. Bitchener. M.P., said he was pleased to know that the Executive of the Union was alive to what was going on, in an endeavour to try and upset the present scale of sliding duties on wheat and flour. Personally he did not think the farmers had much to fear that anything would be done in the matter this session, but it did appear as though they would always be open to attack on this question by some of the North Island Members, and different commercial houses, who under present conditions do not get anything in the way of commission out of the growing of wheat. The Executive of the Union could rest assured that as far as possible, he would do all he could to prevent any interference with the present duties. Mr Clyde Carr, M.P., replying to a letter from the Union, said: “The matter has my close attention.”

STOATS, WEASELS AND FERRETS. Mr J. Pow wrote asking the Union if they would agree to the removal of protection from stoats, weasels, and ferrets, and pointing cut the destruction these wage among native birds. After consideration, the meeting decided to refer this matter to the branches of the Union in South Canterbury for an expression of opinion. The Executive by eight votes to seven decided to support the removal of protection on these animals. RURAL CREDITS. The Rural Intermediate Credits Board asked for the support of the Executive in the matter of recommending farmers to purchase debentures issued by the Board. It was pointed out that this would enable the financial requirements of farmers requiring money for development purposes to be more readily met. The meeting agreed that wherever possible they should recommend the purchase of debentures, and the extension of all support to the scheme practicable. It was also decided to ask Mr J. Brown, of Mid-Canterbury, to visit Timaru and address a meeting of the Executive on the subject of the sale debentures and the works of the Board generally. THE MEAT BOARD. The New Zealand Meat Producers Board forwarded an outline as to the method of procedure at the annual meeting. This was handed to the Union’s delegate, Mr J. Trotter. This led Mr Trotter to ask members if there was any particular information they required from the Board or any matters they desired to have brought up at the meeting. He said it was his intention to protest against meat companies being allowed to place any brand on lamb irrespective of where these were grown. Another matter he proposed having discussed was the difference in freezing charges as between the North Island and the South Island, the charges at the works in the North Island apparently being dearer than those in the South. ALLEGED BREACH OF FAITH. The Lincoln Agricultural College authorities wrote stating that the Government, after agreeing to lease 100 acres of land adjacent to the College for experimental purposes, and getting them to prepare a portion of this area for cultivation, had subsequently decided that for financial reasons they were unable to go on with the project. This the Board of Governors considered was a breach of faith, and they asked for the support of the Union in bringing pressure to bear upon the Government in the direction of having the arrangement carried out. Mr Talbot said there was no doubt that this had the appearance of a breach of faith on the part of the Government. They had got the College authorities to prepare a part of the land, and some of this had been sown by officers of the Agricultural Department. Then it was decided not to go on with the proposal. The secretary was authorised to forward a letter to the Hon. J. A. Murdoch, Minister for Agriculture, protesting against the action of the Department in failing to carry out its agreement. GOVERNMENT TAXATION. Referring to the taxation proposals of the Government as outlined in the Budget, Mr Talbot said he noticed that it was intended to remove the super tax. This was perfectly right, and he agreed that this dual tax should be removed. When the late Sir Joseph Ward brought down his taxation proposals there was provision for exemption up to £SOOO, and payments were demanded in the proportion of £1 for £2 up to £IO,OOO, and £1 for £1 up to £7500. Now that the super tax was out of the way, Mr Talbot believed that the Government was going to bring back the old mortgage tax. “We pay on our mortgage just the same,” observed Mr Talbot, “and it simply means that they are taxing our mortgage twice. I think there are a lot in between the £7500 and £IO,OOO, and these are going to be asked to make up the taxation proposals of the Government. I hold that the man over £7500 and up to £15,000 is one of the most useful farmers we have, as he generally grows one hundred acres of wheat, and we should protect them. They should just let us make up our income tax schedule and if we make a profit then we can pay on that.

Mr Henderson: “I feel very strongly upon this, and I move that we protest against the taxation proosals.” Mr Trotter seconded, and suggested that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Messrs Bitchener, M.P., Burnett, M.P., and Poison, M.P.” This was agreed to.