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Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 66, 7 November 1844, Page 2

As the Property Rate Bill, lately passed in the Legislative Council is now in operation, and the inhabitants of Auckland, who have the means, are now paying

their taxes, we shall say a few words on that subject. Without reverting to the much discussed question, as to the relative merits of direct and indirect taxation, it would be well just now to consider for what purpose this Property Tax is levkd; on what grounds its originators imagine they can justify its imposition ; but no doubt they will tell us that all men must pay for the protection of life and property, and that as life is of equal value to all, so its protection should be paid for by all; but that property varying in value, so the price of its protection ought to vary accordingly.

Now all this may very readily be granted, without at all affecting the ini justice of the tax as levied here, under our present circumstances. For the sake of argument we will grant that the principles upon which the Bill is founded are sound, then arises the question, are these principles carried out ? A contract may be of a fair and equitable nature, but unless the spirit of that contract be fulfi'led its equity is lost. Now is a tax wrung from the people, under promise of protection which is not afforded as the government have not a sufficiency of Troops at their disposal to do so. If the protection were rendered, it ought most certainly to be paid tor ; but, where is the justice of taking the price, and withholding that for which it is paid ? Not to wander for proofs in support of our argument beyond what must be still fresh in the minds of our readers, we will tajce the late occurrences at the Bay of Islands, saying nothing of other instances which we could prove, such as taking a native prisoner out of the dock by force, and in spite of the au thorities. after he had been tried at our County Court and convicted, (a very similar affair took place at Wellington some time since), and even murder has been committed amongst the natives, the pais ticulars of which appeared in our paper of Jaunary 3rd, giving the name of the murderer and other particulars. It is true al the Bay of Islands the flagstaff has been replaced that Heki cut down, but not by him or his tribe. We have 1 not heard of any recompense being made to the people who were robbed at the Bay, nor has the offenders, as yet, been brought to justice; talk of paying taxes fur the protection of life and property! the thing is absurd in the present state of affairs. We are not in a position to defend our lives or properties at the present moment, with advantage to ourselves, and the natives kuow this, otherwise they would not dare to act as they do. We think the best thing the Executive can do is to send for more troops to England, let Lord Stanley know our real as there is no doubt if the natives fonnd that there was a sufficiency of troops coming out from England, they would alter their tone very much. Heki finds that he can obtain with facility, fey threats and violence, all he wishes to exact at the Bay and its neighbourhood, and we fear there will be some difficulty in allaying his turbulent spirit. We repeat once more when there is protection for life and property throughout New Zealeand then, and not till then, should the government call upon the residents of New Zealand to pay taxes. The great majority of the present inhabitants have paid the government large sums of money for the lands purchased for building, agricultural and other purposes, and we think that in justice to these parties, many of whom are now without a shilling, in consequence of the depressed state of the times, government might, and ought to let us have at least 12 months, from the present time, without any tax beiog looked for whatsoever.