FISCAL REFORM. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 43, 19 August 1895, Page 3

FISCAL REFORM. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir— Mr. P. J. O' Regan, in an excellent letter in your issue of 17th inst. on " Taxation Reform," tenders you his thanks for the practical and definite manner in which you have exposed the hollo wncaa -of Protection and proved the value of Freetrade. I wonld also like to tender you my mite of gratitude. I only wish I had known before eioh article appeared ; I wonld have ordered slips by the dozen, in order to press them into the hands of all thinkinsr people, especially thoso of 6th, Btb, ana 9th of August, in which you show so conclusively how irregnlarly and unjustly the burthens of taxation fall. When will the multitude awake to the folly of taxation as enforced through the Customs ? Not till the women of the country become enlightened on political subjects, I fancy. Then they will utter no uncertain sound, and Freetrade will be demanded from North to South. The "binder twine" iniquity, the "matches" monopoly," the rcokless raorifice of the Anokland and Island trade " sonlearly disclosed by you, miqbt well oiuse a burning agitation at onco. Still I wait in confidence. The country is ripening rapidly. It only requires parseveranoe and a little more time. Let the masses consider the savings effected in the collection of Customs duties. The merohant has to charge oitrc profits to covr r these duties. The retailer has to follow the same method. Were the duties removed on all the necessaries of life— taxation cont nued only on certain luxuries- as yon nay, " how the conntry wonld boom under snoh a policy." Is there no chance of the so-called Liberal Party taking the power into their own hands this session,,, and instead of patohing up a rotten structure, have the honour and credit of instituting a gigantic and enduring reform? Let the members realise that the power rests with them. Hitherto they have only proved themselves tools in the hands of three or four men, who only represent themselves. Let them take the brave and bold ronrse of aoting for the good of their constituents and the country, and join hands with New South Wales in her ?reetrade policy, and be the second link in the great bond of freedom that eventually will bind these South Pacific islands into a strong and powerful people. I am, 4c, A Womjn. • 19th August.