DISTRICT NEWS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 June 1911, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

EVENTS IN SHANNON. (Chronicled by our Resident .Representative.^

Last night ait tho Shannon Literary a.nd Delating Society tho subject for debate was "That a Tax on Land is tilur only Right and Equitable Mode of Taxation." Tho Rev. .Mr MclCenzie (the president) occupied the chair. Mr Hensiman led off in 11 ic affirmative. Ho made a. very effective and well thought out speech. Mr Marclay very ably seconded Mr Hensinan. Mr Exall, for tlie negative, made a great deal for his side, although hefailed ".soniowihat in delivery. Mr Gunning made a thorough search for tho weak points in single tax and succeeded in launching some bolts into the -enemy's camp. Mr Selby, as an advocate of tho single tax, .spoke concisely and fluently, and said in the limit of fifteen minutes as much probably as could be said on his side. Mr Trnynor followed on the same side; his collection, of data showed. that some care* had been taken by him in his search for , knowledge on the matter. --r Clayton, another single tnxer, was more logical than usual, but could not let the evening pass • without giving the audience-a taste of his humour. , "Mr. Murdoch illustrated, the inequalities that would exist under single tax solely. He pointed out huge incomes that were purely i! in earned increment that would escape taxation. Mr Venn went into figures and maintained that a single tax only would, be of a- burdensome nature to the farmers in this country. Mr Logan was, much aveir.se from the abolitionr of' Customs duties in' so far as they protected our industries; he made a very strong point of this, and was accorded a round of applause. Mr. Mitchell only gave one instance showing how valtieswould be affected by the matter: he did not intend , this as a speech, simply gave his example as an illustration. Mr Gardner gave some cogont re-asons in favour of single tax. On the question being put to the audience tho opponents of single tax scored by a large majority. .

Mir TU)bcii'tfion, of Palmerston N., who had kindly attended'to act as judge, announced the following points as the result of the competition :—tSelby 89, Hensman 87, Barclay 80, Murdoch 79. Kxall 78, Traynor 78, Guiuiing 78,"Venn 77. Clayton 75, Gardner 73, Logan (57, Mitchell 05. The announcement was received with cheers and the decision gave entire satisfaction to all. The judge was asked to ffive his decision as to which, side lie thought had the better powers of debate, and he /gave the verdict to the single taxers.