"Are We to Stay Here."

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3919, 21 July 1881, Page 2

"Are We to Stay Here."

(By a Colonist of Twenty-two Ykaes Standing.)

The author of the pamphlet bearing the above title is Mr H. J. Scaly, of Timaru. In his preface Mr Scaly states that the object he has had in view in preparing the treatise is an endeavor to prove the following propositions .—lst. That the Public Works Scheme of 1870, known as Sir Julius Vogel's Policy, contained in its original form all the elements of success, if only it had been carried out in ita integrity. 2nd. That in the original scheme, the bona fide settlement of the land by farmers on small blocks was one of the essential features. 3rd. That such settlement was frustrated, owing to the prior occupation of country by the runholders, and the great power possessed by them as a class. 4th. That the comparative failure of the Public Works Policy, and the present stagnation of the colony, are due in a great measure to the monopoly of so much of the best lands in large estates. sth. That no permanent improvement in the affairs of the Colony can be looked for until the majority of the large estates are broken up and settled upon by the numerous population. 6th. That in order to hasten the above process it is desirable to abolish the Property Tax and impose in place of it a Land Tax on a sliding scale, increasing the amount per acre in proportion to the extent of the estate. 7th. That no reforms in the taxation or system of land tenure can be expected unless the Hall Ministry, representing as they do the large landed proprietors, are supplanted j in office by a Liberal Ministry, representing the interests of the people at large. Bth. That unless reforms of the above nature are speedily carried out, the colony will retrograde by reason of large numbers of those who haye immigrated here having to leave again in consequence of being unable to obtain a livelihood.