The Land Tax and Local Rating.

Manawatu Herald, 2 April 1892, Page 3

The Land Tax and Local Rating.

— ■•■ - A practical farmer, who contributes agricultural notes to the Mataura Ensiyn, writes : -" A huge ' amount of flapdoodle has been spoken and written of late by inter ostert parties and party nowspipers to the effect chat the Liberal Government Land and Income Tax, 1891, would in n> way affect farmers. Perhaps the not-to-be-affected farmers will get on eye-opener this week, when they receive free by post their no ice " On Land and Inc une Tax Busiuess Only.' In the paper which lias reached vie I am informad that for local rating purposes ' the value t^n the first money column will bs used,' and that column I find headed " actual value of properly, including improvements .' It so happened that within a few years past I have like other people, spent a good bit of money and labour on buildings, drains, fences, and improvements, and I am n w officially informed that in cot side.ration of these improvements. I have got to pay on between £300 and £400 more than hitherto. This of course means that my County rates, road board rates, charitab c aifi dhVo, and the new Gore service bridge rate when wanted, will all h«ve to be paid < n my improvements, •whether oa:s or mutton vise or fall, or whether the improvements leave a threepenny bit to the good after paying labour, interest and expenses This is how the People's Government and the Great Liberal Party proceed to encourage settlement on the land. My little case will be similar to others - we are likely to >>c aU in the same box — and I feel anxious lo know how wo all like it The Wyndham farmers have spoken out freely on this taxation subject ; indeed their club i» the only pu lie body which has had th« courage to tackle it fairly, and the members deserve credit for their spirit."