“DIRECT TAXATION OF LAND UNJUST.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18772, 30 May 1929, Page 13

“DIRECT TAXATION OF LAND UNJUST.”

LOCAL SHEEPOWNERS HOLD MEETING

The executive of; the Canterbury Sheepowners’ Union met yesterday. 1 resent: Messrs It. M. Morten' (president), in the chair. It. B. Neill, L. C. Latter, E. Hay, F. Peter, G. H. Grigg, G. O. Rutherford, R. C. Todhunter, 11. H. Acland and F. H. Courage. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Pi. E. Ir. Tripp, A. R. Turnbull, Sholto Douglas, G. Fulton. INI. Bethel 1, JT. Acton-Adams, N. D. Campbell. C. Murray and L. It. C. MacfarA letter was received from a member drawing attention to the necessity foi

an alteration in the incidence of taxation, pointing out the injustice of the present system of direct taxation of land, and urging the necessity for all forms of income, however derived, to be placed on an equal footing. The letter to the difficulty in obfrom certain sections of the community, and contained proposals which it was suggested might, simplify the work of the Taxation Department in this connection. The letter was received, and the secretary was instructed to reply that the executive was unanimously of opinion that a tax on all incomes, however derived, was the most equitable system. It had been consistently advocated during recent years, and was also one of the recommendations of the Taxation Commission which had not yet been given effect to. The Director of the Christchurch Technical College wrote requesting the support of the union with respect to an application to the Minister of Education for a grant of approximately £3OOO for the purchase of a farm area to provide teaching facilities in connection with the agricultural courses at the college. On the motion of Mr G. O. Rutherford, seconded by Mr G. 11. Grigg, it was resolved that the union support the application. The good work done at this college and at - the Rangiora High School in connection with agricultural training was referred to by several speakers. The Clerk of Awards advised that the application for an interpretation of the Shearers’ and Shed-hands’ Award with respect to dagging would he made at the sitting of the Arbitration Court at Christchurch, commencing on June IS next. Mr M. D. Acland explained the circumstances which led up to the application being made by the Labour Department, and the action of the secretary was approved. Mr R. AI. .Morton was nominated as a delegate to the Electoral Committee of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board from the Canterbury Sheepowners’ Union, and a sub-committee consisting of the secretary and Mr E. Ilay was appointed to act with subcommittees from the Farmers’ Union and the Canterbury A. and P. Association in connection with the election of delegates to the committee for August next. The secretary of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board wrote forwarding .specimens of show cards and display advertisements which the board had prepared for use in Great Britain, the display of which had been arranged to coincide with the first shipment of new season’s lamb from the Dominion The letter stated that some 2,000,000 copies of a booklet setting out the superior qualities of New Zealand lamb would »e distributed throughout England, and that 15,000 display advertisements and IS,OOO large window advertising cards had been distributed to the butchers’ shops throughout. Great Britain. They were assisting to create added interest among consumers of New Zealand frozen produce in England. The letter was received, and appreciation of the board’s work in this connection was expressed by several speakers. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce wrote enclosing particulars with regard to reduced costs of carriage on coastal consignments of produce by the Railway Department. The secretary was instructed to convey the thanks of the union to the Chamber for its assistance to producers in obtaining substantial reductions in costs under this head through the activities of its Rural Interests Committee.

The Graziers’ Association of New South Wales write in reply to a letter regarding wool propaganda. The asSociaiton stated that it had formed a wool publicity committee with a view to taking action in conjunction with New Zealand and South Africa in a world-wide publicity campaign setting out the advantages of the use of .natural, wqol as against cotton fabrics and those of vegetable origin, along the -lines of the suggestions submitted .in the Federation’s letter.

A letter on the same subject was also received from the secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The secretary reported that he had written to the chairman of the Empire Marketing Board, London, to the chairman of the British Wool Federation, Bradford, and to the Hon Sir James Parr, High Commissioner, with a view to a co-ordinated effort being made on an Empire basis for the purpose suggested. The letters wer.e received, and the secretary’s action approved. He was instructed to interview the general secretary of the Farmers’ Union and set the position fully before him when in Wellington next week, with a view to joint action of the two organisations within the Dominion in the interests of woolgrowers, also to write to the Graziers’ Association of New South Wales, and to the Woolgrowers Council of Australia, expressing appreciation of the prompt action taken in response to representations made to them regarding this matter. The Mayfield A. and P. Association wrote fully endorsing the necessity for an alteration in the Stock Act, with a view to placing motor lorries carting stock after dark in the same position as is the' cas£ with regard to drovers travelling stock without a permit after sunset. The association also suggested that freezing works and stock firms be urged to make sure, as far as possible, the bona fides of all owners of stock doing business with them, in view of the alleged prevalence of sheep stealing. The letter was received, and the secretary explained what had been done with regard to the matters mentioned in the letter.

It was resolved that the secretary consult with the Agricultural Department officials in Wellington with regard to the, necessity for constant care in connection with the import of stock 'nto New Zealand from outside countries at the present time, when so much disease appears to be prevalent in other stock producing countries.

It was pointed out in a letter received from a member that no apparent advance had been made in the adequate control of foot and mouth disease and other epizootic diseases of stock, and the retention of the present regulations governing the importation of stock from Great Britain was urged as being absolutely necessary in the interests of stockowners in the Dominion. It was resolved that the assistance of the Meat Board be again asked for in this question.

The secretary reported that several letters had been received from sheepowners with respect to the suggestion that the Government subsidy for kca destruction should be discontinued, and asking that the union should not lose sight of the necessity for its maintenance. The secretary was instructed to bring the matter before the Minister of Agriculture, with a view to placing the position before him from the sheepowners’ point of view. The president reported that Mr Acland, with himself and several members of the executive, accompanied by sheepowners from the Marlborough district, had paid a visit ot' inspection to the Cawthron Institute with a view to ascertaining the position with respect to the propagation of the sheep maggot fly parasite by the Institute, a sum of money for which was recently granted from the funds of the Federation. Professor Easterfield (Director), and Dr Miller (Chief of the Entomological Department), and their assistants . had explained the work of research now being undertaken with regard to matters affecting primary producers. Dr Miller had explained tlie necessity for a larger output or parasites for the sheep maggot fly, and stated that with the additional facilities provided through the donation from the Federation, the institute would bo in a position to put out large quantities of this parasite next season, it was hoped, in sufficient, quantity to fully meet the position with a view to counteracting the breeding of flies and consequent damage to flocks. Dr Miller also stated that he liuil conducted research with a view to finding a parasite for the cattle tick, and that the prospects in this direction were very hopeful. With regard to the stomach worm, which has proved a heavy source of less to sheepowners, 1 of affected land, and where necessary, sufficient drainage. Where this was not possible, be advocated the Uf VaUure l a» P 'l>osstbW. ' The research i n connection with hicli-bidi linrl been do

'„„ account of the difficulty c,t transport intr the parasite from Oliili. but Or Miller was making; n special visit to Chili n«st soring, and he intended to make arrangements Hon t wi l tb P the bidi-bidi. Dr Miller had the difficulty of keeping the eiub alive. biU be fen sure that thi« could be acoomnlished over the nerfori required for shipment if proper supervision over packing and the provision of the necessary food for the insect was made" lie was also going on to