BUDGET TAX PROPOSALS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 199, 22 August 1929, Page 7

BUDGET TAX PROPOSALS

MANY FARMERS’ PROTESTS LONE SUPPORT PROM STRATFORD [Per Press Association.] STRATFORD, Aug. 21. At a meeting of the Stratford branch of the Farmers’ Union the following resolution was carried: “That this meeting, lapresentative of small farmers, supports the Government’s proposed land super tax as a temporary measure.” FARMERS’ UNION OPPOSITION NORTH CANTERBURY OPINIONS [ Per Ereua Association ] CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 21.

The executive of the North Canterbury branch of the Farmers’ Union today carried unanimously the following resolution: “That this executive pro test against the proposals for altera tions in the land tax on the following grounds: (1) that further taxation upon the primary producer is detrimental to the best interests of the country; (2) that while the super tax proposals may in one or two isolated cases have the effect of forcing the subdivision of large estates, yet in the vast majority of cases the tax will apply to land unsuitable for further subdivision or settlement and will mean a further severe tax on the farmer; (3) tnat it has been only for the last four or five years that the farming community has had the benefit of a reasonable mortgage exemption of £lO,OOO and the reduction is going to mean that a large number of farmers will again be taxed upon what they owe and not upon what they own, as this will apply to all medium sized farms.”

It was also resolved: 11 That in the opinion of the executive the Government should balance its budget by adjusting its expenditure to meet its income and not by extra taxation.” Another resolution carried was: “that this union advocates the substitution of income tax for land tax as recommended by the Sim Taxation Commission in 1924, because the income tax is the only means of imposing a tax which is in accordance with the ability of the taxpayer to pay.’ ANOTHER CANTERBURY PROTEST BITTER DEUNUNCIATION (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 21. “That this association strongly protests against tho Government’s decision to promote legislation providing for a super tax on farm lands and a reduction in the amount of mortgage exemption as the result will be the disorganisation of finance by heavy withdrawals of mortgage moneys invested in land, which must necessarily mean reduced production and the creation of additional unemployment. This meeting is also of opinion that the present land tax is not equitable and suggests that a graduated tax on all incomes, however earned, should be substituted.”

The foregoing resolution was carried unanimously at a meeting to-day of tfce general committee of the Canterbury A. and P. Association. Members were bitter in their denunciation of the Government’s proposals.

WAIRARAPA FARMERS

INCREASE STRONGLY OPPOSED [ Per Pi ess Association. 1 MASTERTON, Aug. 21. At a special meeting of the Wairarapa Farmers’ Union Provincial Executive held to-day to discuss the Government’s Budget proposals, resolutions were passed strongly protesting against the proposed increase in land tax, and especially against any reduction in the mortgage exemption as an unnecessary impost on the small struggling farmers.