The Bruce Herald. "Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, JUNE 4, 1880.

Bruce Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 1209, 4 June 1880, Page 3

The Bruce Herald. " Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, JUNE 4, 1880.

DOWN with the Property Tax seems to be the watchword in almost every corner of this happy Colony, with the exception of that unknown tract of unexplored land, where his Majesty King Tawhiaho reigns supreme, and laughs at us poor pakehas. In fact the whole of his race is to be exempt under this masterpiece of an Act, No prying of the Deputy-Commissioners ani Assessors into his dominions; no counting of his horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, blankets, or any other of his worldly possessions— they are lawfully exempt. But, even if they were not, no tax-gatherer dare to intrade upon his privacy ; no bailiffs or policemen dare to enter his territory — he can put his thumb to the point of his right-royal nose, and extend bis probably not very clean or delicate-looking digits "Wellington- wards, with thegreatestimpunity, and exclaim, " Don't you wish you may get ij?" What an immense difference between him and his followers, when compared to the unfortunate, patient, and long-suffering taxpayers, who constitute the loyal subjects of her Majesty, Queen Victoria, in this dis-united kingdom ofthe South, because she only rules over about three-quarters of New Zealand. But to return to the topic of the day and the hour — the tyranical, obnoxious, and highly objectionable Property Tax, in the face of which the threatened blowing up of the great Timaru Breakwater, the burning, at the stake, of Mr Blackett's effigy, or the firs; reading of Mr Murray's Drainage Bill, sink into utter insignificance. Let the question be taken up simultaneously throughout the Colony ; let all the Conn ties and Boi'oughs rise as one man, and unite in solemnly and firmly protesting against the imposition of this tax at all hazards. Such a thing was never heard of in the Southern Hemisphere, ancl the country can do without it, if our representatives in Parliament wiil only set their wits earnestly to work. It is altogether against the rules of political economy in the Colonies, however well it might answer in despotic Russia, or dictatorial Germany. We are always inclined and ready to give credit where credit is due, and for once we must admire Sir Geokge Q-ret for fearlessly giving notice of motion for the repeal of the Property Tax. We thank him for opening the ball, and if all the electoral districts know their duty, let them forthwith instruct their respective Members to vote for the repeal of the tax, or else resign their seats at the earliest possible moment, so that better men may be sent to fill their places. Dangerous diseases generally require strong remedies ; and so do false political steps demand rigorous and unmistakable opposition. In a free country like ours every man, from to the humblest, can claim the of making his voice heard, and of firmly rejecting a measure which would inflict incalculable damage upon the Colony. Feeling fully assured that success will crown the united efforts of the colonists, we do no think there is any necessity for further extending our remarks. As far as Tokomairiro is concerned, we have every confidence in the action of its enlightened inhabitants, and we shall be mistaken if we do not, next Monday night, see the largest public meeting }'et held in Milton, which would also set a good example to others.