PUBLIC MEETING AT LEESTON.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1979, 28 June 1880, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT LEESTON.

In accordance with a requisition signed by a number of ratepayers of the Selwyn County, and presented to Mr John Rennie, chairman of the Ellesmere Road Board, a public meeting was held in the Leeston Town Hall, on Friday evening, to consider the property tax.

The Chairman (Mr John Ronnie) stated that he had called the meeting, as ho knew that a considerable amount of interest was taken on the subject, and that he had advertised it to bo held in the Town Hall, as ho was sure that the Road Board office would not hold them all; and as Mr R. Lockheed's name headed the requisition, he would call upon him to address the meeting. Mr Lockheed, in coming forward, said that a few gentlemen had met the other day, and as they took an interest in political affaire, they had decided to ask Mr Bennie to call a public meeting, to see if something could not be done to do away with the inquisitorial part of the property tax, although, personally, ho did not see the good of calling meetings all over the country, and dictating to Parliament. He had heard outside that this was a meeting of the sunporters of the Hon. John Hall, and from others that it was a meeting of supporters of Sir George Grey. [“ No, no.”] Mr Lockhead then proposed the following resolution, viz.—“ That under the present circumstances of the colony this meeting heartily approve of the course adopted by the present Government in imposing a tax upon property, and would suggest the following alterations—l. That the £SOO exemption be reduced to as low a sum os it will be profitable to collect. 2. That all personal property be excluded, less mortgages, bills of sale, &c., and that properties be valued much in the same way as they are at present by Road Boards; the same valuation could then be used by local bodies as well as by the present Government. 3. That as a means of lessening the inquisitorial nature of the tax, and also of lessening the cost of collection of it, the owners of properties to be made answerable for the tax to the full value of those properties, and that power be given to recover in Court that portion of the tax which capitalists should pay on mortgages, bills of sale, &c.” In supporting his proposition, Mr Lookhead spoke strongly in favor of the above tax, but that as it was at present it was unfair, saying that the £SOO exemption was wrong; because a man had that amount of property he should not get off, considering that they had as much power as those that pay the tax. Mr John MoLaohlan, in seconding the resolution, said it might be better to put it in separate clauses. He quite agreed with the present Government in imposing a property tax in lieu of a land tax, as it was no doubt the fairest.

Mr John Baldwin said he could not understand Mr Lookhead’s resolution, and requested the chairman to explain it. He considered that the meeting was comprised of Mr Hall’s supporters—[No, no] —and would move the following amendment: —“ That this meeting adjourn to a future date, as it does not fully represent the district, in order that the objects may be more fully discussed.” Seconded by Mr J. Patterson. Mr McLachlan said that there was some truth in what Mr Baldwin said, that the proposition should bo moved in separate clauses, although he was quite prepared to support all the clauses.

Mr Lockhead said ha was not in favor of it being put in clauses. He wanted them to see at Wellington that they were not all bumpkins. Mr A. MoLaohlan spoke at some length in favor of the proposition. Several gentlemen spoke on the subject, after which the chairman put the amendment and resolution to the meeting, and on his declaring Mr Lockhead’s resolution carried, it was proposed by Mr John McLachlan, and carried —“That this meeting of ratepayers endorses the action of the Government in discontinuing the subsidies to local bodies.” The Chairman was asked to send a copy of the resolution to the member for the district, which he promised to do. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.