THE PROPERTY TAX.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 50, 17 January 1880, Page 2

THE PROPERTY TAX.

Tmc following (says Uio Canterbury 'J'itnes) is the reply received from the ITou John Mall in answer to a memorial addressed to him by some of the farmers and others residing in the lilies mere district, relative to the Property Tax, as affecting the implements, stock, etc., used by fanners in carrying out their business : “Wellington, Dec. 24, IS7'.).

“ Gentlemen, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of memorial, numerously and influentially sinned by the electors of the Welwyn district, on the subject 'ot the pressure of tin; Property Tax upon the fanning interest. “ Ail hough the memorial did not reach me until alter the details of the Property Assessment Bill had been settled, the whole question of the scope of the tax had been very carefully considered by the Government and by Parliament ; and yon will no doubt have learned with pleasure, from the published reports, that your wishes have to some extent been met, farming implements having been exempted from the tax. Mad the principle of exemption been carried further in the direction suggested by yon, property of other descriptions would probably have been included to so large an amount that the rate per cent, would have had to be raised, and thus the tax would have pressed more severely on the farming interests than it will do under the existing law. “ I agree with yon as to the extent to which the welfare of New Zealand depends upon the prosperity of its farmers : and 1 know the dillicnlties to which tillage farming is subjected are great. But I trust yon will believe that merging the Laud Tux in a general Property Tax, and exempting farm implements therefrom, are evidence that the Government recognise the importance of the agricultural interest, and nndeistand that it is their duty to foster it to the best of their ability.—l have, Ac.,

Joiim Haul. “ Major Willis, J.P., Thomas Cannon, Esq., and the other Gentlemen who signed the memorial.”