DR. LAISHLEY'S NEW EVANGEL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2533, 4 October 1888, Page 2

DR. LAISHLEY'S NEW EVANGEL

TO THE EDITOR Sin. —I was very much pleased at reading Dr. Laishley's last article in your supplement of the 2!) th. I entirely agree with hiin when he says, "The property tax ought to be swept away without any substitute in its stead." It is this tax in my opinion that lias done more to ruin the country than all the other taxation put together. Ever since it was first initiated by the fertile brain of that great taximposer, Sir H. Atkinson, property has steadily decreased in value, until now it is almost unsaleable. Now, if we are to live in this country, the electors will have to go in for radical reform, and sweep those "old fogies" out of the House who have been frequenting that chamber more or less, for the last 20 years, and elect new men with new ideas, applicable to the circumstances of the colony. I should advocate—lst. Reducing the national interest, as we cannot (nor have we done up to the present) pay it without further borrowing. 2nd. A substantial reduction in taxation. 3rd. The abolition of the Property-tax. 4th. No more borrowing. The only way to effect retrenchment is not to vote for the imposition of taxes, and then they can't get the money; so, of course, retrenchment naturally follows, and the business of the country would be carried on better. With regard to the Property-tax. if it were abolished, property would rise in value, and the present holders, "who are loaded with debt," could sell out and have a little to start again in an humble way, but with more experience. The new comers being in a better position could improve the property without fear of extra taxation, thereby benefiting themselves and the community at large. Ab to borrowing, " The more we borrow, the more we sorrow." Now, the only way to carry out these reforms is by combination, forming ourselves into societies, secret if you like, for we have very powerful enemies to deal with, viz., the Civil Service and the large monetary institutions. Those societies being governed by a centre, we will say in Auckland, in fact, a sort of vigilance committee, having its ramifications all through the colony, the main objects being to resist to the utmost of our power, by every means possible, the further imposition of taxation. I am a loyal man to the (iuoen and Constitution, but lam a rank rebel so far as taxes are concerned, and to show you I am sincsre in what I say. you can put my name down as a member of any 'society, having for its object the reforms above mentioned. I toll you, Mr Editoi, if we have to live m the country, men must be alive to their own interests. It is refreshing to read those home truths by Dr Lnishloy ; I hope his articles will be productive of good. There are thousands in this country who wrnild gladly leave it if they could, owing to the results of bad legislation, although the conntry itself is good, (I think the finest in the world); but as they can't go. In God's name, and with all ane reverence do I say it, let us put our shoulders to the wheel, and with His blessing, we will be able to pull ourselves right. But, I maintain, every body, bond-holders and all, will have to submit to a reduction, at least for a time.— I am, yours etc., I H, Roche, Nfittoto, October Ist 1888, j