Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1890. The Unionist Platform.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 9 October 1890, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1890. The Unionist Platform.

Tin: Wu'lliiujton Unionists have issu/'.l tli.'ir political platform, and have th:\vj candidates who have led tlum t > hope that they can, if elected, give effei-t to their wishes. The gentta improvement that they desire to obtain i.s, the stoppage of all sales of land ; the repeal of the Property Tax; and the amendment of the tarif so as to relievo the necessaries

of lifa from Customs Duties. Who would nDt believe in such a prog -amme ? it is simply splendid, life would be worth living if taxation was reduced. The Unionists are very fervent over the matter, they have gone to some expense to let tli9 public know of their views, and have actually got three men, as candidates, who have led them to believe they can effect this change. It is wonderful what people will believe at election time ; but we are bound to say that the Labour candidates will have a hard tasa to reconcile their desire for retrenchment to tit in with the duty they owe to their creditors, and by abandoning the items proposed, find other means to pay the interest on the debts due by the colony. We suppose that the present Government, and the Opposition, have not been adding taxation needlessly, so that what is now demanded from us is absolutely necessary to make both ends meet. If another way, that is honourable, can be found, so much the better, if it will effect reduction in taxation and realise the same revenue. We would hail with pleasure, not only the return of these three candidates to Parliament, but to the Government, if, during the interval they can lay any such scheme before the public. A candidate unable to do so, obtains the votes of the electors under false pretences, as they at present figure as those whom the conference of labour delegates selected, believing that, as they pledged themselves to support such views, they believed them possible of attainment. We say, with sorrow, that we do not think that such views are attainable. Money must be had, therefore taxes must be raised, and as everything in this delightful colony is taxed, it becomes difficult to suggest other sources of revenue. The Unionists seem to think that a land tax will accomplish all they want ! They propose that that special tax shall make up for the property tax and a large part of the Customs. The law is all powerful, and a Parliament of Unionists might succeed in levying such a tax, but the result in revenue produced would be very unsatisfactory. Every moderate landowner might be ruined, but the revenue would be wanted, and so would a large portion of the population. Because of the absurd cry against large landowners, the unfortunate farmers are threatened with a special tax, while those earning money, such as merchants, lawyers, shopkeepers, shipowners, and many others are to escape scot free ! ! ! It Avill be noticed that there is no proposal to levy an income tax. These be your loaders, oh ye people ! The wage-earners are not quite so stupid as the trainers of this manifesto believe, and they will be aware that if such a step, as proposed, is carried out, the farmers interest will suffer materially, and with it, as it i.s the main stay of the colony, all will suffer. The Unionists assert that such a programme i.s fair, honest, and reasonable !