The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1886. THE PROPERTY TAX QUESTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2236, 5 March 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1886. THE PROPERTY TAX QUESTION.

Our local contemporary still affirms that we have nover opposed the Property Tax, He asks us to put our finger on ono small fragment of an article or paragraph in which we have spoken our mind manfully respecting the injustice of this tax, If we can do so, he aays he shall be pleased to regard us as holding sound and liberal views 1 on this question, although our actions , and professions will have been most ; inconsistent. The following extract from our leading columns of March 12, ; 1884, plainly enough the view of this fax which we have always held, and probably only our contemporary will regard it as ? declaration in its favor" The outcome of .our ' public works policy seems to be that we frighten immigrants from our shores by the extent of our indebtedness and the increase of our taxation. That the climate and soil ot New Zealand are more favorable for snlall farmers than the soil and climate in any other part, of the world is undeniable, but the ■small farmers won't come to us, Is it then true that tjje political condition of this colony keeps tliein away 1 We are afraid that it is, and that thp .course the colony has hewn pursuing for the last dozen years has been a foolish one. Our railway speculations have necessitated a land tax, and. though this pill is now disguised under the general title of a property tax, it tends to keep the Briti.sji jeoman and farmer from settling here, Jjli'en now we believe it would pay to sell or Jut our railways to a syndicate, reduce tjie debt of the colony, and so do without either Land or Property. Tax, Then men from Europe, from Ameiica, and from neighboring colonies would be tempted to cast in their lot amongst is, to bring their money into New Zealand, aud spend it in buying and improving our'waate lands, A policv which frightens desirable imrnigrant's from this country caiinot be a wise one and the sooner it is reversed the bettor. Land, Property, and Income Taxes are a mistake in a vouno colony which looks for its supplies of men and money to older countries, Is it not to escape such Abilities that the immigrant in most instances breaks tip ,his old borne and seeks another country 1 We have always' Opposed both Land Tax and Property Tax. We have had, some experience of both in New; Zea I land, They catch the rich man, hut: they also catch the poor man and the man of moderate seps.. No Ministry,' however, would be.iiow williqg to carry, on the government of the country without one or the other, unless they; were compelled to do so, and then they: would do it fast enough, For the last; few years we have had' two political parties, one preaching up a land tax and the' othe'i' a pi'o'p'erty tax, Wkst

we want is a third party to knock both on the head, and bring the colony into such a condition that it will attract and not repulse the British farmer.