CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3281, 28 July 1911, Page 7

CONFERENCE.

TAXATION ON UNIMPROVED VALUES UNSATISFACTORY.

LPBB PRESS ASSOCIATE?!*.] WELLINGTON, July 27

The Farmers’ Union Conference passed a resolution to the effect that the present system of taxation based on unimproved value, being most unsatisfactory in consequence of the impossibility of ascertaining true'unimproved value, the conference would f avor some more equitable basis.of taxation, which would place the taxation of land in ]ust proportion to that contributed by other industries. An old friend in the shape of a remit from Auckland provided an interesting discussion at the (Farmers’ Union Conference to-day. The remit ran: “That this conference is of opinion that the engineering trade should receive no more protection by way of tariff. .During the discussion it was an opinion generally < xpressed that local engineers turned out work equal to the imported article. Farmers on the whole were not patriotic enough in supporting local industry. It appeared to be generally recognised that the engineering trade was in a bad way, but in passing the resolution the conference agreed by a good majority that to further protect the trade would be prejudicial to- farmers’ interests. One delegate said that the implement makers’ trouble was the Arbitration Court awards, and another speaker said that it appeared no use raising the tariff on machinery, as it would mean an increased price, which would be mopped up by labor. There was no finality. An attempt by the Marlborough delegate to have the protective tariff on imported grain raised was rejected by an overwhelming majority. Resolutions were passed strongly urging the Government to bring a Stallion Registration Bill before the House in the coming session, and that a committee be appointed to consult with the Minister of Agriculture, with a view to amending the Noxious Weeds Act in such direction as may be desirable ; that the Government be asked to introduce a Pure Seeds Bill; that it is desirable to establish agricultural colleges in other districts on lines similar to the Lincoln College; that all applicants for Crown lands who are landless and qualified bylaw to ballot for land, be passed for ballot without any other test than the declaration; that land boards should consist of five members, two elected by Crown tenants, and two appointed by the Government, with the District Commissioner of Grown Lands as chairman, and. that members should be elected for three years, instead of two; that the local Farmers’ Union should be notified when there is Crown* land to be cut up in a district, and the land board should consult the union as to the best methods of cutting up the same for settlement ; that the Government be asked to have the system of valuation of improvements defined in relation to the valuation of land 1 for taxation purposes, in such manner that owners shall receive the credit for the unexpended value of all improvements made up. n their lands, and also for allowance being made for the improved value caused) by expenditure of loan and private moneys expended by local bodies; and that the Government be urged to adopt a scheme of through booking of produce by rail and sea. It was resolved that the question of the Government introducing a Bill to establish an association for the protection of producers’ interests be referred to the Provincial Executive, with a suggestion to have meetings called by branches interested, so that the general opinion of the farming community may be obtained, the conference at the same time recommending that the powers asked for would he of general benefit to the producers of the Dominion.

SOME IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS. The Farmers Union Conference today passed resolutions as follows: “Tiiat the conference strongly objected to the imposition of export duty on hides and greasy wool. “That the engineering trade should receive no more protection by way of tariff.

“That in view of the scarcity of farm labor the conference approves of the introduction of suitable youths under careful selection from Great Britain. “That the system of charging extra rail and freight on imported goods and on timber should be abolished. “That where roads and tracks are cut through bush land, the Government or local body in charge of the work shall cause the road line to be sown with good clean grass seed to prevent the spread of weeds, and as an assistanc to travelling stock. “That all telephone charges be the same in each postal district, irrespective of distances.

“That the Farmers’ Union urges that country exchanges and telephone bureaus be open between the hours of 7 and 8 p.m., and in cose of country telephones that lines be connected with the nearest doctor, hospital or chemist when required. “That a reduction he made to telephone subscribers in cases where more than one subscriber is using the same wire.

“That experimental farms of experimental plots be established in oilier districts in the South Island, in view of the diversity of climatic conditions.” “That, with a view to- encouraging reafforestation by private enterprise to supplement that carried on by the State, more particularly with the object of making tree-planting mlore general instead of being confined to a lew localities, the Dominion Conference endeavor to promote legislation so as to exempt plantation from timber and shelter purposes of over .an acre in extent. from rates and taxes,, and to provide for subsidising such plantations by grants.” “That in view of depletion of natural forests', the Government continue afforestation in suitable localities.” “That branches be urged to experiment with manures, crops, and fodders. “That the present system of electing representatives of Hospital and Harbor Boards is most unsatisfactory, and that the old system of election be reverted to.” The election of officers for .the ensuing -nr resulted as follows: President, Mr. J. G. Wilson (Bufl'A (re-elected); vice-president, Mr. G. W. Leadley (Ashburton). (re-elected); treasurer, Mr W J Birch (Marten) (re-elected); auditor Mr. W. Rutherford (Palmer-, pton North); Advisorv Committed. Mr. J. C. Cooner, W. J. T, ‘- 1 F. F. Hockley, and E. Campbell