THE SINGLE TAX.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16488, 2 March 1914, Page 8

THE SINGLE TAX.

TO THE EDiTOE: . , --/ ; Sir,—Your defence of the exemption clause in the land tax reminds me of the defence offered by a man charged with horse theft with this difference, the horse thief had two - lines of de-. fence whereas you have none. First' lie pleaded .that- the .animal in question was not a horse but a mare, and; second that since she had been .in this possession for a number of years' he had acquired a proprietary interest in her. This is your plea.- Those who enjoy the'exemption have, a privilege denied to others. This'is why tne clause is illogical. .As you admit all, landowners must be treated equitably,. slika with no distinction. , . ,‘ I’r As to your forecast that Sir Joseph Ward will not include the exemptions abolition in his programme, I don’t expect him to. I have not the least, interest in him personally.. I' consider him a “has been” politically.-, * -He has his bands full at the present timo trying to unite 1 the scattered -remharts of his moribund party. I , can even afford to sympathise with him •in his talk. I was shocked that even the most remote possibility of one-single'taxers vote being deflected -to Massey was taken seriously by you, that the Liberal Party is in such a state of blue funk that such an idle threat .intended in jest as a test for..the editorial nerves should send it into panic. / I can see that if the present political situation is much further: prolonged you will have to consult a. specialist' .for tha removal, of ’grey hairs and wrinkles. What a sad contrast to the halcyon davs of Ballance.-#I am," etc., //" ' SINGLE TAXER.