RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUE.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 55, 2 September 1895, Page 2

RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUE.

TO THE EDITOII OF THE STAR. Sir, — I was very pleased to see such substantial facts brought forward by Mr West to confute the flimsy suppositions of .Vr Wilks on this question. In addition *o what Mr West has said it might be ad-Jed that rating on the improved value of land, bears particularly hard on those who have borrowed money to improve with, they not only pay interest, but are taxed on borrowed money, and whenever a local loan is raised, up goes this tax on their borrowed money. In order to discredit Henry George's theories, a writer (in the Star I believe) published a balance-sheet showing that money let out on interest was more profitably invested than if invested in land, and he failed to give credit on one side for profits made by working the land. Interest itself is au unearned increase, and as such is condemned by j Henry George, arid by another man called Moses. This is the kind of rubbish shot at Henry George, in the name of criticism by the Apostles of Moa both in the Upper House, aud outside of it. Thirty-six years ago " squatters " did not hesitate to say that every good shepherd, and stockman who came to the colony increased the value of their land, and hastened to secure their services Doubtless Mr Wilks has his good points, but I do not attacli the slightest value to any statement of his, ass a political or as a sheep doctor. I should like as a Liberal to say to Liberals who don't read much. Do not believe statements or in sinnations levelled against Government by Opposition papers. Trust our leaders ; the} 7 are by fur the best men in Parliament. Beware of all those who ma~ke undefined charges of Socialism against our Government. Government is no more responsible for the unemployed trouble here than for that in America or in Great Britaiu. It is not true that farmers' and squatters' interests are identical, As a rule, nothing riles squatteis more than to see prosperous farmers in their neighbourhood. I have the very best of reasons ;for saying that I know what they mean when declaring that " their confidence is shaken." Their confidence was that they would make ilarge estates, meet large estate, and leave the people of New Zealand as landless as the people of Great Britain are. Liberalism has shaken tins confidence of theirs, and let us keep it always shaking, aud this can be done if we will choose for our motto, " Union, aud ho surrender to the honored enormity of Toryism." I am, etc., Colonial Farmer. Fcildiug, August 31st, 18U5. P.S. — Please send a copy of Star containing this letter to Moses, one to Henry George, and one to the Moabites.— C.F.