THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1958, 3 June 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1880.

The result of the caucus of Government supporters, held on Monday evening, was eminently successful. Twenty-seven members were present, but a large number bad not yet arrived in Wellington, and it was calculated by the Government whips that forty-seven Ministerialists may be reckoned upon, and that several other members will ultimately join the party. This, in a House of eighty-eight members, would give a fair working majority. But it was principally 'with regard to the tone adopted by the meeting as to the line to be taken during the session ‘ that the caucus was so satisfactory. It showed clearly that the Government were quite willing to recognise certain faults in the details of the measures past last year, and more particularly with respect to the property tax. It is generally admitted that the main attack on the Government will be in connection with this tax ; not so much in connection with the principal of the tax as with the vexatious and inquisitorial method of its collection. The rival leaders of the Opposition have indeed not much ventilated the subject. Sir George Grey at the Oddfellows’ Hall was extremely vague when he touched on this matter. His principal wail was over the escape of the unearned increment,” (which by the way has not escaped) but the whole subject of taxation was but lightly treated as becomes a politician of such a philosophical stamp. Mr. Macandrew, at Port Chalmers, was not much more explicit. He shed his tears over the property tax, mainly on the ground that it would prevent capital coming into the country, but ho seemed oblivious to the fact that a heavy land tax would have the same effect, though on a much more extended scale. But notwithstanding that the twin kings have not much enlightened us, there is a general feeling that the property tax is considered by the Opposition as the vulnerable point in the Ministerial armour. It is indeed perfectly natural that such should be the case. There can bo no doubt that with its present form of collection it is extremely vexatious. And of this fact it is satisfactory to note that the Government are well aware, and that they are considering modifications in the tax, not being positively wedded to any precise method of collecting it. The money is absolutely needed, and must bo raised

somehow, but, as naturally might bo supposed, tho Government are above everything anxious that the suaviter in modo should as much as possible he adhered to. Parliament has declared for direct taxation, and tho principal of the property tax has been sanctioned, but the tax and tho proper method of collecting it aro experimental as far as this colony is concerned, and the road to tho end is yet rough. Of this, as wo said before, the Government are fully aware. They invito and will welcome criticism on the subject. If then the Opposition take tho property tax as the point of their assault, they will have to attack tho principal of the tax and not tho minor detail of the method of its collection. They may find this matter of broad principle a more difficult nut to crack than they imagine.