COLERIDGE ELECTION.

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3200, 2 December 1875, Page 3

COLERIDGE ELECTION.

TO THB EDITOR OP THX PBESS. Siß, — The Coleridge district contains 2,470,000 acres, and the last census returns, taken last 3 ear, show that the population was then 3290 ; bat eiace that date it has very materially increased, more especially in our own immediate district. I consider that one member cannot adequately and properly represent so large an area of country, containing such a population as the present one, and the first thing that we should insist upon is increased representation. As we are bound to be taxed in some way, it should be by each a system that all should bear a fair share of the burden. There is already a heavy property tax throughout the country in the shape of Boad Board rates, which is a sore burden on all new settlers, whose outgoings for the first year or two exceed their incomings; therefore with all due deference to Mr Alfred Saunders' opinion, I pray that my brother electors will never support any one advocating a land tax. As I have stated, we have already a property tax, and why should the producer struggling np hill against such odds as bad harvests and the fall in price of his productions, which often realise a less cost than it took to produce them, be expected to find the bulk of the revenue of the country ? Why is your merchant to be let off scot free from contributing his fair share towards the public chest ? If the .farmer is to be rated for his land, why should the merchant and manufacturer not be rated for their manufactories, shops, stores, and offices and mansions? Ask Mr Saunders what his profits were when he was an agriculturist ? and on what grounds, I ask, is he to be exempted from being taxed now, and the producer is to be double rated ? As we are to be taxed, it is an income tax that is wanted ; one that will not touch the farmere' pocket only, but the pockets of all equitably. I would of course exempt incomes up to £160 per annum from being taxed. The bulk of the population of at least this district is essentially an agricultural one, and the electors have sufficient power in their hands to elect the candidate who will best represent their interests. I therefore trust that they will not pledge themselves intil they have given a fair and impartial learing to all of them. Yours, &c, Sub Spb. Ashburton, 29th November, 1875.