THE SINGLE TAX.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume I, Issue 20, 1 April 1890, Page 2

THE SINGLE TAX.

TO THE EDITOR. Sra,—ln ; tiie-PEBOitus Gumrdain, of March 14, you speak of the single tax theory as a fad “ which is going to make everybody happy and comfortable except the land'owners, who w|ll have to : pay the piper, while the balance of the general public can dp the daiicr ing free of cost,” Now, sir, the single tax will make the land owners happy and comfortable as well as every body else, for they will no longer pay the property ta x nor the heavy customs duties which increase the cost f of every thing they have! to buy. A man who makes the best use of his land will be greatly the gainer under the single tax, and it will rid us 9! that <juri?e, land speculation, which leads to land monopoly.

Besides, as the rental value of land, exclusive of improvements, is the result of the growth of population and of the enterprise and industry of the community at large, is it not just that value should be taken for the benefit of the community by means of taxation ? As no man can live without land, it is clear that “ the balance of the general public ” will not be able “ to do the dancing free of cost.” The only difference is, that whilst at present they are doubly taxed—having to pay taxes to Government and a tax or rent to the landlord—under the singleiax the part of the rent which is the rent of the land will go Government, and they will pay according to the value of the land they use. You also suggest that “ there must be something wrong in. our system of Government ” —-that is very possible—but we may console ourselves with the thought that a great change will take place in the system at the next election, seeing that then the principle of “ one man one vote ” will come into force, and we may hope that “the state coach” will then find “ a smooth road ” on which to drive, namely the

Single Tax.