FAND TAX AND ELECTORS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 171, 27 August 1879, Page 2

FAND TAX AND ELECTORS.

TO THE EDITOR OT THE THMGKA DEADER. Sir, — There is one great point that many ratepayers or elector's do not- see in the collection of this ocl'ou? laud tar —it i.r- this ; This tar; when collected, goes to Wellington as general revenue. The ratepayers see no visible benefit from it. The collection of it debars the Road Hoards from levying rates, as the farmers cannot afford to pay two direib taxes in one year on land. The levying of rates by Road Boards is a direct benefit to all farmers and laboring men, ns vc got fi for -C given ns by the Government, and the whole amount is spent in the district improving onr roads to our respect ivc farms. By not collecting rates the Board? will soonrun short of funds, and it is clear the contractors and laborers will suffer from r.he want of employment, and farmers will suffer from having bad or no roads to their farms. This year 1 proposed, at the Mount Foci Road Bnaad. that wo should not collect a rate for this year, which was carried. I drew up a petition to the Geraldine Road Board, and got it signed by ratepayers in all parts of the district, .strongly urging them not to collect a rate this year. .. .The Geraldine Road Board agreed to oar request. s'oa will say, Why did I do this P For no other reason than that we farmers cannot afford to pay “land tax” and local rates” the same year. One or the other must give way. 1 nope all electors voting in New Zealand at the elections will bear the above in mind in recording; their votes, and not give a man his vote who is in favo” of continuing the land tax, which, I think, will do more than most of us have an idea of in lowering the pries of land and causing great distress amongst the laboring class. —I am, &e.,

0. Cr. Thipp Oran Gorge. 26th August,. 1879. 4.