ANOTHER AND THEN ANOTHER TURN OF THE SCREW.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5612, 25 March 1879, Page 2

ANOTHER AND THEN ANOTHER TURN OF THE SCREW.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir,— This is to give notice that the days of the reign of bloated landholders and squatocrats .are numbered. A generally reliable authority announces the intention of our Colonial Treasurer to propose the imposition of a heavy tax On ' all large landed estates. In which respect he evidently hopes to emulate the high-minded- and patriotic Victorian, ; Berry. It is said to be his avowed intention , to meet all deficiencies in the revenue from whatever source by increasing the land tax. Now, I regard this as a.marvel of ingenuity on the part of the Treasurer. Yet, like most great discoveries, when disclosed, how simple. • It is evidently the ruling idea of the Treasurer that all ho has to. do to raise revenue and ■ balance bis, finance is simply to take another , and another tprn of the screw in increasing • the land tax; nevermind the inequality of the . burden, that is a question for. the stump, but to " be laid aside in practical legislation.. ,On this ■ question we read in an article, apparently in- , • spired by the Treasurer y —“ At least another penny per acre will be proposed for imposition on large estates next session.” In another article from the same source we have arstrong intimation of another turn of the screw in the following.language “ Guided by the light.of ' Victorian experience the Government, should have no hesitation in bringing forward a Bill for imposing, a much larger increase than, a palty penny per acre;” bo that in' addition to a halfpenny in the pound,- ,wo ■ ;

are first to have a penny) per acre, and after that, —how much more after that heaven and the Treasurer , only know. ; It will I imagine depend on circumstances. Is the writer aware- that such a tarwill in many instances be far in excess of - the' annual value of large areas of many of our largest landed estates. I have no sympathy with the holders ■of large landed estates, and am strongly of opinion that many of them should pay much more to the State than they have heretofore been in the habit- of doing, yet I have some regard for fair play and even-handed justice;—l ain, &0., *• •' ' '■ Democrat.