The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1889

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2647, 29 June 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1889

There is no escape from the fact that the unpopularity of the Pro-perty-tax is very pronounced throughout the colony. The Premier stoutly refuses to abjure the pet creation of his own brain; he clings to it as the best revenueproducing measure of direct taxation that has beer, conceived. To the Colonial Treasurer that is the summuin bomun of financial legislation, and he has closed his eyes to whatever other economic results the tax may have upon the country as a whole. But the difficulty lias been to reconcile the people to his favourite devicc and convert them to his way of appreciating it. He has endeavoured to charm them with his eloquence and logic, yet public opinion lias declined to view the Property-tax as a righteous one, or one that assists the progress of the colony. The opposition to the tax has been in existence from its initiation, a servile Parliamentary majority, that followed Sir Harry Atkinson during the late degeneracy of the Legislature, having consented to its launch. The country, itself, submitted to the infliction with a bad grace and has allowed it to continue in operation mostly on sufferance. It is thought that its pernicious influences should be brought

to an end, and the opponents of the tax can now number a strong part}' in the House, a party sufficiently weighty to force the Premier to give heed to its advance and to throw down the gage of battle. Tho party seek to obtain the repeal of tho Property-tax, and to substitute in its placo a Land-tax. There are allied with them sections who favour an Incomo-tax and an immediate modification of tlio Property-

ax. Tho Government have resolved

to provide an opportunity for tho wliolo question to be debated when tho second reading of tho Pro-

perty Assessment Bill is taken. They have also declared their intention of making the question a Ministerial one, staking their existence upon the issue. If there is a division adverse to themselves, they are resolved to make a direct appeal to the country. This may be nothing more than a threat, without containing any serious, fixed determination to resort to the course

held out. As the appeal to the constituences would be made on the

basis of tho Act which reforms the present electorates and reduces the number of representatives by twenty-one, the House would necessarily think long and deeply before it committed itself to the political suicide of so many of its members. Putting that view of the matter aside, however, there is not in our opinion sufliciently good grounds for the attitude the Govern-

ment is taking. It would be a most reprehensible action on the part of a Ministry, so religiously pledged as they are to carry out the dutv of retrenchment and cur-

tailing the expenditure in every department, to commit the country to the unnecessary cost and trouble of a general election, before the present Parliament lias expired in the ordinary course. The colony is just beginning to enjoy the good fruits of its sacrifices and prudential line of conduct. The Colonial Treasurer's Statement has drawn the picture of our returning prosperity in vivid colours. We are emerging

•om the financial difficulties which

have pressed on us so heavily and so long, but from which we are not, by any means, yet wholly free. We need that rest so forcibly recommended by the Treasurer. It will be decidedly detrimental to the furtherance of the economy so essential at the present period to the best interests of the colony, and will, moreover, disturb the political quietude of the people by introducing an element of discord and unrest at an inopportune time, to upset existing administrative arrangements and tempt the Govern-

meut to bring about a dissolution. The very suggestion of such a tiling is so unpatriotic and inimical to the common good, that only the thoughtless and selfish, the political intiiguerand enemy of the country, can regard it with favor. We have never qualified our dis-

like to the Property-tax, nor failed to attack the evils its operations have produced upon the industry and enterprise of New Zealand. Nevertheless, we would

sink our dislikes and opposition just now rather than encourage any action which would suspend the work of reducing the country's expenditure, and incur an unnecessary outlay. During this state of trail-

sition from extravagance to prudence, it would bo must unwise to revolutionise the mode or incidence, of taxation, or to make it a vital question of policy. We refer, of course, to the present session. The question can lie debated without introducing peril to the Ministerial position. In deference to the undeniable feeling of antagonism to its

principle, tho Government could with very good grace agree to greater modification of the tax than they have proposed. They could, for instance, consent to abolish all exemptions, and reduce the tax bv one half, or whatever the wishes of the House may be in that direction. They might also lesson the inquisitorial character of tho tax by placing the liability of payment upon the actual occupier or man in possession of property, without reference to the mortgagee; leaving it to be arranged between the several parties interested, in the same way as local rates and charges are paid by occupiers and provided for in leases or agreements between tenants and landlords. All this, however, could be effected tentatively during the present session, and until Parliament has run its course. But the question of Property-tax as against a Land-tax or ] ncome-tax ; that is, the serious subject of altering the system of providing revenue by direct taxation should be made a leading question of policy, to be submitted to the country for its decision after Parliament expires by effluxion of time next year. Let the issue be clear and distinct, and fought out then; but not till then. We desire to see no constitutional administrative change in the mean time.

[Since the foregoing was in type the telegraph has informed us of the notice of motion to be moved by Mr Barron, proposing the gradual extinction of tho Property-tax. The Government, it is said, refuse to accept it in an amicable spirit ; though, in tho present circumstances of the colony tho motion is in tho right direction and would be more to the interests of the people than a forced dissolution at this juncture.]