SINGLE-TAX V. PROTECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3165, 6 October 1892, Page 3

SINGLE-TAX V. PROTECTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The criticism of the above article by Mr E. C. Shepherd evidently shows that I have not made myself clear or that he has to a considerable extent misunderstood its purport. However, as the second part of the article will be shortly published, and will answer the greater part of his criticism, I will merely confine myself to comment upon one of his assertions, " that no one but the impnrdent or lazy will be found stranded upon the shores of pauperism in old age or likely to seek the benefit to be derived from a superannuation fund." I would ask him to contemplate the average earnings of the wage-earners and workers upon the land for the last ten years. I may also say that during the last decade the earnings of many an industrious life attended with self-denial have been swept away and too many have been in the position that they could not provide for a raiuy day from the fact that it has always been a rainy day with them. It is useless to decry human nature we cannot devise anything better in its place. It is more easy to assert than to prove that the great architect of the Universe is in error, and whether democracy is for good or evil it is much more likely to exist than a return to autocracy or anything approaching it. It is much more in accordance with wisdom to accept things as they are and try and discover whether or not humanity individually or collectively is at fault. I have no doubt in my own mind that man himself is responsible for most of the miseries which attend our existence at the same time it

must not be forgotten that philosophy teaches us that misery must co-exist with happiness. Human nature as constituted, and democracy exist. These are stubborn facts. The former like a plant, can bo made more beautiful and useful by careful culture and an analgous process will lead the latter into a groove which may benefit all, both rich and poor. The interest of both are synonymous, but when artificial means are resorted to in order to benefit a few it may succeed temporarily but the whole suffer sooner or later. Carlyle says that never was wrong done by nature or individual but that its accusing spirit arises and taxes humanity with the wrong doing.—l am, etc. Thomas H. Whitk.