OUR DOMESTIC POLITICS.

Press, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5703, 29 December 1883, Page 3

OUR DOMESTIC POLITICS.

TO THB BDITOB OV THB PBBSS.

Sib, —I have just finished my breakfast, and with it the reading of your to-day's leader on "Our Domestic Politics," and a few thoughts have occurred to mc as to how our financial condition might be greatly improved. I have not had time to estimate the exact results that would follow upon their adoption, but I would give them in a generalising way, fully believing that if my views were carried out we should soon see a great improvementi in our financial condition. I would then suggest:—!. That we should not borrow another penny. 2. Cut down all the salaries of the civil servants, beginning with the Governor and his Ministers, a reduction of 25 per cent.; 15 per cent, on heads of departments, and 10 per cent, on those under them. 3.„' Tax all unimproved alienated land held for speculative purposes—agricultural land Id, and pastoral o£d per acre. 5. Increase the duty on all intoxicating'drinks and tobacco 25 per cent. 6. Compel the payment of a license for all breweries of -250 per annum and £50 for all small hotels and -100 for large ones. 7. Raise the dog tax on all greyhounds, retrievers and setters to £5. 8. Make a sensible law that shall effectually suppress all gambling and rid our streets of the presence of " blacklegs." 9. Compel every loafer that hangs about our street corners, with or without his hands in his pockets, to sweep the street gutters gratuitously or go to gaol. 10. Stop the importation of all pauper immigrants. I : could suggest a few more lines of improvement, but I think this dose is enough for present digestion. Yours, Ac.,Ltcubous. .. .December 27th.