Fair Tax.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 64, 5 September 1890, Page 2

Fair Tax.

TO THE EDITOR. Sm,~When Sir Julius Vogel brought in his immigration scheme, he was asked how much each one would pay toward the revenue through the 1 customs, and he replied £2. Now, every man, woman, and child in New Zealand is supposed to pay that amount" so that my family of 15 has to pay £3O per year,, besides local rates. This has to be paid off 50 acres of land. I know a man who holds about 100,000 acres, who does not pay in proportion to this. No, of course he does not, if he did it would ruin him; but if there were a land-tax of Id. per acre, my share would be 4s 2d, and his would be £426 IBs 4d. Now, I reckon he can pay this amount far easier than I can pay the £BO through the Customs. I have nothing to fall back upon,whilst he has the land, that land which was given by God for the good of all man-kind. If one man wants more land than is sufficient to keep him, why should he not pay a tax according to the benefits he derives. Rich men make laws to suit themselves. Turn and turn about is fair play, so at the next election I would like to see the poor men of New Zealand use their power, and not be influenced by wealth or rank, I am, &c., G. H, Watson.