THE WEALTH OF TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1917, Page 2

THE WEALTH OF TARANAKI.

To the Editor. Sir, —In reply to Mr. 0. B. Simpson, wlio complains about tlio„ high price of land and wants an alteration in the land laws, I should think an alteration in taxation would be- better, say, a graduated tax on land and less through the Custom?. This would be more to the. purpose, and would keep down the price of land. -One of the reasons of highpriced laud is too much protection. The Daily News says Tnranaki land has only been scratched. It should have read "some of it," as there are thousands of acres producing practically nothing. •Some five or six years ago a sale of land took place 011 the Plains—l believe at '•awera—which was most successful 1 •■o'li the vendors' point of view. The aiiy News at the time drew attention !> the price, and considered it would bq ;etrimental,to Taranaki. Since then hundreds of young men have left Tarauaki for the Auckland province, where the land is cheaper. Now, Sir, you stated in the News recently that Tamnaki had put up a world's record in production. One of the reasons of that is that there are very l"e.\v engaged in protected industries as compared with the cities. I trust Mr. Simpson will advocate placing the bulk of the taxation 011 land and do away with protected industries.—l am, etc.,, PROGRESS. Hurworth, March 13.