Graduated Land Tax

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 274, 15 August 1936, Page 13

Graduated Land Tax

Sir,—ln your editorial of Tuesday last there is no reference to injustice imposed on back country, low quality lands which must be used —if occupied at all — in large areas and by men with capital. v It is short-sighted statesmanship that would drive sueh men from their littleenvied enterprise.

During the past thirty years I have seen thousands of acres in Hawke’s Bay cease to be farmed. I do not blame the present Government more than its predecessors. The latter should have known better, the former has not had much opportunity of learning. A tax was imposed, in the first instance, for the purpose of causing subdivision of large holdings, suited for closer settlement, but levied on good and poor lands alike.

Previous Governments have been equally as stupid as the present Government. There never has been, by Reform, or any party, due regard paid to the patient endurance of the dwellers of the way-back areas. Maybe the holders of the richer lands thought, if they thought at all, that should relief be granted to the occupier of the poorer lands, the burden placed on the better lands would be all the greater. Whatever the cause, scant consideration has been given to the subject. Candidates, just prior to elections, visit the backbiocks in search of votes, then say good-bye until the next, election. One political party is just as bad as the other. All politicians seem to be tarred with the same brush. Your Tuesday’s editorial is sympathetic toward those represented by Chambers of Commerce. Yet these folk can, and do, in most instances, pass on costs, often with a little added just to be on the safe side. What can. the outback farmer do when the comparatively little he is able to produce has its price fixed by export values, and as it is so very small per acre his share of the current rate of exchange is equally small, thus he has no set-off against taxation such as the more fortunate farmer at present enjoys on the more productive land. Classification would surely be a more just policy. How long since is it when this country had a capable Minister of Lands? The Coalition Minister did nothing of moment other than the purchase of Galatea, a very doubtful transaction. It is to an efficient, reasonable Minister of Lands the occupier should be able to look for justice and for help in his difficulties. — I am, etc., JOHN LANE. Havelock North, August 12.