EXPERIENCE V. THEORY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2936, 9 May 1891, Page 4

EXPERIENCE V. THEORY.

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.•(p. ri. lie.' aii'l f'• t, a-, your corres- ,,'.,„,'„.!,! "Julian' 'l"fi. -i'"! >'.ust abjuie llicin. .1 V"ii do in your leader of ti,e t ...iue date (30th Ill') Ihe lactam! experience ot the French devolution vcrc 'tli"M; : —It connm need in the most amiable an l ' philosophic theories. In hix months the revenue was found hopelessly di Ileitis', and nu loource could he found but confiscation of pioperty. This was done, and nnde things worse, then the only resource was the issue of paper nimicv 'mad- a legal t-nder al par on pain of death. '1 Ins pap r was issued but it had little, value, ; UOO woitli cou.d KOtm be had for £."> woitii of goods, in spite of the penalty, ami after the relgu of t'rror, it at once foil to "Js for the .CIOO nominal. All the spare produce, horses, carts and stock of the agriculturalists, all the supplies necessary to feed the large towns, and to feed, clothe, arm and equip an army of I.'JaO.OOt) men In the field, were forcibly tnkr-n and paid for in paper at par value. The first step in this career is now being considered by our politicians, and is being advocated by manv. Before taking il, it should he shown that we have grounds in experience and fact to show t lint the confiscation of freeholds, for which (he State has recently been paid in full, by fixing a rent on them under the name of a land tax, will increase the resources of the colony. If it do not, and much worse if it reduce our resources, driving away rather than attracting settlers and capital, then future steps are assured, viz., abolition of exemptions, increase and extension of taxation, and, in case of war or revolution, paper mouey and forced requisitions. When settlers approve of a man to represent them in the Legislature, they must stick to him ; they must let no formal technicality prevent their doing so. Itc will have to light through thick and thin, aud they must pluckily and thoroughly support him through tine* and thin. —Yours truly, Aooi.