THE UNEARNED INCREMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2551, 15 November 1888, Page 2

THE UNEARNED INCREMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l believe " Harapipi" is thoroughly unselfish, and whatever his opinions may be, I don't, think he has any object to gain excepting to serve the interests and wellbeing of his fellow colonists, but all the same I think he is mistaken in his reasonings. For instance, he argues that with the introduction of an increased tariff the sweating system has also been introduced into New Zealand. Now, I opine that the sweating system would have come if the tariff hud not been increased, because it is in existence in Free Trade England. Therefore it is not Protection that is tho cause of the sweating system, for it is known that it exists both in protected and free trado countries. Now, if tho above statement proves to him that I am correct, I hope he will ponder as to what is the cause, for, certainly, no effect exists without a cause, and until the people are agreed as to what is the cause of the prevailing depression and scarcity of employment, it will bo impossible to apply the remedy. I still make bold to assert that if the land was nationalised, and a portion of the unearned increment taken to carry on tho good Government of the country, we should very soon be in a state of prosperity, despite "Harapipi's" statement that there is no such thing as unearned increment. He also says this cry of unearned increment has been the ruin of hundreds. 1 should like this assertion put in a specific form, for I must admit that I am totally ignorant of such being the case. Now, if there is no such thing as unearned increment, how is it that the land upon which Adelaide stands is worth £11,000,000, while it was sold some few years ago for four thousand pounds, and what applies to Adelaide also applies to every large town in New Zealand. When " Harapipi" states there is no such ar thing as unearned increment, his mind is dwelling upon agricultural land, there he is right, (with the exception of land near large towns). Although land is becoming more productive, yet the value is decreasing, until a great deal can be bought for less than what it has naturally cost to improve. Let him just cost his thoughts over to Melbourne, where land is going up by leaps and bounds, what is that but the unearned increment? I give the names of a few, who are, accordingto "Harapipi,"profoundfools, Professors John Stewart, Blackio, Cairns, and F. W. Newman, Jno. S. Mill, Alfred Russel Wallace, Henry George, Win, Kwart Gladstone, Sir G. Grey, Anthony Fronde, Thos. Carlyle, Prondhon and Herbert Spencer. Now let him produce the names of his wise men who say there is no unearned increment. I would like to ask " Harapipi" how it is that agricultural land close to Auckland is worth ten times as much as it is in the Waikato, although it has not cost any more to improve, and it will not grow larger crops. The fanner has nothing to fear from a land tax because his land is worth hardly anything when the cost of the improvements are deducted, and he would only be taxed upon the value of the laud without its improvements. Tho property-tax and Customs duties would be abolished altogether, it is the city lands that would have to pay because they are valuable.—Yours, &c., Elector.