The Globe. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 991, 29 August 1877, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1877.

The opponents of a property tax are evidently at their wits end how to secure its rejection, and place thenselfish case in'the best light before the electors. They do not condescend to argue the question on its merits, and prove, if they can, that the imposition of the tax would be unjust to property, but they are never tired of discussing it in its relation to the working man. At one time we are told that the re4uctioa of the duties on certa articles

would result in the shutting up those manufactures which owe their existence to the protection afforded by the tariff. We have already shown the folly of calling on the colony at large to contribute so much per head to keep those '" pauper " industries going, so need not refer at length to it here. Another way of putting the question is, that a property tax will discourage the investment of capital in the country, and so the working man will be touched in the shape of reduced Avages. Those who advance this argument wisely confine themselves to general assertion. This view of the question takes for granted that capital is so sensitive as to be frightened by the imposition of a small tax, of a few pence in the £, and that the owners of money would be driven to seek another investment at the mere sight of the tax-gatherer. Such a result is contrary to experience. In Great Britain no such result follows. Notwithstanding the fact that property and income are taxed there, capital is always seeking investment in any form which offers a reasonable prospect of being remunerative. The same will undoubtedly be the case here. As long as capitalists can secure the large returns which they do in the colony, they will not be driven into withdrawing it altogether, because a tax of a few pence in the £ is imposed. And as a tax on property, whether in the shape of income or land, avouM reach them in any case, they will continue to invest in the same manner as they have hitherto done. If it suits them to lay out their capital in land and improvements now, it will still suit them to do so, notwithstanding the imposition of this tax. Besides, we urge this course in order that we may reach the owners of foreign capital who at present contribute scarcely a penny to the revenue of the colony from which they are drawing immense profit. They speculate in our lands to the detriment of settlement, and the injury of the bona fide purchaser. We hope therefore that working men will not be influenced by the superficial cant of those who A\ r ould try to frighten them into tamely submitting to heavy taxation, in order to save the pockets of the land monopolist. Why should this question not be discussed on its merits ? Why should capital receive so much consideration ? For fear of frightening a few thousand pounds out of the country, the working man is implored to bear patiently the burdens which long ago should have been placed on the shoulders of others. But there is another side to the question. Is labor to have no consideration? We might with great show of reason direct the attention of the capitalist to his danger if the present system is longer continued. What can capital do without labor ? Is there no danger of the latter, which after all is our wealth, being driven from the country by heavy taxation? Has not the great want of the colony always been not capital, but labor? If we continue longer to tax the necessaries of life so heavily, may not New Zealand become an unfit home for the working man ? Signs are not wanting that this danger is already looming in the distance, unless a speedy change is effected in the incidence of taxation. We hope our statesmen will take warning in time, and so avoid an agitation which can only result in capital faring much worse than it is likely to do under the proposed mild taxation.

We desire to draw the attention of the authorities to what has became a positive evil. Por some time past the congregation in one of our most frequented thoroughfares of a crowd of express drivers has been a source of annoyance to passers by. Not alone do they block up the footway, but their indulging in rough horse play is anything but agreeable to those whose business or pleasure obliges them to pass that Avay. At all times of the day may be seen a crowd of men and boys congregated at that spot, some of whom naturally seek to amuse their spare moments in their own particular fashion, frequently, however, to the annoyance of the public. Their whips are often brought into use upon each other, and only the other day a stone thrown in a random manner struck a female passer by. This, however, is not the worst evil. These men are accustomed in crossing the footway to reach their stand, to turn short round from Colombo street, and several persons have, in consequence, narrowly escaped being run over. As long as the stand at present in use is maintained, so long will the annoyance we have complained of continue. "Were it situated in a quieter locality, no objection could be taken to the men amusing their idle moments in their own way so long as the public are not annoyed. But for several reasons it is high time that the authorities interfered and remedied what is undoubtedly becoming a considerable nuisance,