OUR DOMESTIC POLITICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 32, 7 January 1884, Page 2

OUR DOMESTIC POLITICS.

♦ Under the above heading a correspondent signing himself " Draco" makes the following significant suggestions to the editor of the Canterbury Pressj 'i— ".Si't, —rhave just finished my mofn^ ing poridge, and with it a letter m yonrpaper, signed " Lycurgus," on ;the al>ove subject. I cannot refrain m adding^a few suggestions that I think) if followed out, "would greatly improve the financial condition : of o»r country: - —1. A tax on bachelors over twentyfive years of aged per cent, on income, m,- , creasing at the rate of 2£ per cent.' for every five years; on spinsters 10 per cent, on annual expenses —no increase for age, owing to the impossibility of ascertaining it; female graduates to be rated as men. 2. A poll tax of £10 on all actors, actresses, and singers entering the country; on those resident m New Zealand a license fee of £5 per annum ; for every oirous £100 on arrival j performing dogs and monkeys £20. '3. For theatre licenses £50 a year and LlO for every circus stand, irrespective of length of time occupied, 4. For all coachmen and. fuatoien m livery L 5 per hea.d, I# }Qs for pages m buttons. S. For all lap dogs, a license of Li per annum, to be taken out on the Ist of January, and 5/- for each canary or pet bird. 6. An annual payment of LlO to be made Uy proprietors of cricket or recreation grounds, as well as 10 per oon.t. on all gate money reoeived for. matches, sports,\fco. In Ihe case of public groundSj each club or society (except lacing clubs) using the same to pay an annual fee of L 5. 7. All racing clubs to be charged' LIOO per annum, and every horse kept for racing purposes LlO per annum, 10 per cent, to be reducted from the value of stakes. 8 Twenty-five per cent, on all money received for tickets of admission to public balls, assemblies, and parties.