PLAIN TALK.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7720, 16 May 1916, Page 1

PLAIN TALK.

AT FARMERS’ MEETING. WAR TAXATION. A diversion was created at the last meeting of the executive of the Auckland Farmers’ Union, when Mr John Allen, a well known authority on agricultural matters, and delegate of the Auckland branch to the annual provincial conference of the Farmers’ Union to he opened in Auckland on the 24th inst., asked for permission to address the executive on the matter of war taxation. After some little discussion it was decided that Mr Allen he granted ten minutes in which to place his views before the executive. Mr Allen said that in view of the possibility of dissimilar views being held by members on the subject of war taxation, lie had come to the executive hoping that it might give him some guidance as to the attitude to be adopted on the matter at the* conference. It would be well if they could act with some unanimity. He had found that many broad-minded men who had given the matter their full consideration were in favor of a small export tax on wool, meat, and butter. Such a tax would probably meet the whole position, and provide the funds required. Another remedy for the present unsatisfactory position had been suggested to him in discussion with local financiers. The suggestion, in brief, was that there should be a direct tax upon the actual stock held by farmers. His advice on the subject was that in view of the money going into the pockets of the farmers—war profit—ns a result of the stock they held they could afford to pay such a tax. The proposal was Is a head on sheep, 3s on cows, and 4s on other cattle. NOT PAYING SUFFICIENT. Mr Allen went on to say: “I do not know whether they realise it, hut the farmers are not bearing their fair share of the war expenses. I mean that, in proportion to the capitalist, they do not pay sufficient in taxes.” There was a suggestion being made that farmers were not meeting the case as they should do, and the two methods he proposed offered remedies for the present position. He knew from experience that when lie was farming in a fairly large way his taxes amounted to about £7 per annum. Since he had realised on that property his taxes had been just seven times as much, showing that under the present legislation the farmer was too well treated. Mr R. D. Duxfield: What about our road tax? We pay heavy taxes for roads. Mr Allen: Yes, hut the fanner uses the roads, and at all events the tax is not anything like that paid by the capitalist. Mr J. C. Boddie: I take, Mr Allen, that you favor the direct tax on exports rather than the stock tax? Mr Allen: Yes, that is so. Mr Boddie said that he thought the matter should he left for the conference. It could lie thoroughly ventilated (here. They could express their individual opinions. Mr A. A. Bowler: I think (lie financier who got the idea about taxing the sheep and the cows got a. very crude idea. Mr J. E. Ma.cgill said that lie was of the opinion that the tax on sheep and cows would probably meet the case. Mr A. A. Ross (chairman): If is evident that we are not going to agree. It would be better to take no action, and deal with the matter in conference.