MR. MASSEY AND THE SINGLE TAX.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 225, 16 June 1908, Page 4

MR. MASSEY AND THE SINGLE TAX.

Sir,—Single-taxers foul indebted to tho Loader of tlio Opposition for the prominence lio has given to the singlortax proposal in his speeches during the last eighteen months. iSut we could wish that 31 r. Massey would refrain from'calling our proposal dishonest; and in tlio interests of tlio fanners, if not of the poor wage-earners in town and country, wo would suggest that lie should support his wholesale ecndemnatioii by something in the nature of proof. Ho might, for example, compare what the average farmer is now paying in taxation with the approximate amount of his payment under the single-tax; but_ Mr. Massoy has thus far most carefully avoided any figures on tlio subject. This is very far from boing 'fair to tho single-taxqrs. I proposo that Mr. Massey spend an evening in public'discussion with somo prominent and able exponent of the single-tax. Tho Wellington branch of tho Leaguo. would bo very glad- to make arrangements for a debate, and I am sure they have not the slightest fear as to tho issue. But Mr. Massey's moral courage is hardly eijual to tho task of meeting a sturdy single-rtaxcr face to face before a public meeting ill Wellington or in any other oity in tho. Dominion. I pity the Leader of tho Opposition when tho farmers discover, as a few of them h.ivo already discovered, that tho single-tax would immensely benefit them —that it would reduce their burden of taxation, cheapen almost everything they buy, and greatly improve tho local demand for farm produce. Mr. Massey's lot will bo still mora pitiable when tho town workers, in large numbers, perceive how land monopoly and tho private appropriation of the unimproved value of land deprive them of freedom and tho just reward of their labour. It will then bo seen that all Mr. Massey's' efforts liavo been entirely in the interest of the big monopolists, who must certainly owo him a deep debt of gratitude. —I am, eto., EDWARD CAMPBELL EVANS. June 12. .