THE ENGLISH RADICAL PLAT FORM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1316, 3 November 1885, Page 2

THE ENGLISH RADICAL PLAT FORM.

The following are-stated to be the main plank* in the platform upon which the Radicals will take their stand in the coming election : 1. Abolition of all indirect taxes, the revenue in future to be raised on the principles of each making known precisely what he pays, and the sacrifices of each man being equal; or in other wirds, by a graduated income tax, and a graduated succession duty, doe care being taken in regard to the former that a distinction be made between income derived from realised property and from trade, profession, etc., and between income derived from other sources. 2. Practical effect to be given to the scheme of Jease Collings fur the creation of a peasant proprietary, and that of Mr Broadbnrst for the enfranchisement of freeholds ; the abolition of all entails, and the vesting of land absolutely in living individuals; tenants’ fixity of tenure, and ownership in their improvements ; Land Court, as in Ireland, to fix rents upon an equitable basis ; re-entry by the community into all land that has been improperly enclosed, and thus becomes the property of individuals, and into all lands held by individuals that is allowed to lie waste, bat which can be pat to a good use ; a law j which will encourage the subdivision of large estates and give facilities to occupiers to become owners ; the abolition of the game laws; the equalisation of the death duties on real and personal estate. I

3. The disendowment an* disestablish' ment of the State Ohuroh, and the appli cation of its funds to educational pur poses.

4. Abolition of all hereditary right to legislate, and recognition of the principles that this right can only be derived from popular election.

I 5 Manhood suffrage, only excluding I those who are under sentence for some I offence against the hw, or who are idiots I or lunatics. j 6. Payment of members of the House I of Commons, and the official expenses of I electors to be borne by the ratepayers of I each electoral district. « 7. Shorter Parliaments. 8. A thorough overhauling of all pensions and salaries, and a redaction in | either where excessive. The establishment of an assembly in each oonqty, elected by manhood suffrage, which would have power to legislate upon all matters locally affecting the county, and to appoint to all offices of trust or profit within it. 10. The foil recognition of the right of the Irish to self-government in all matters that are local and not Imperial. I II No further grants to members of I the Royal Family, unless it oan be proved I that the present amount devoted to the j maintenance of that family is insufficient I for the object intended. I