TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 125, 29 May 1928, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

— ■» In Mr. Holland's outline of Labour's specific proposals there is much that .is admirable, and much that is interesting. Some items would be more interesting if it wero clear how they were1 related to the Labour objective and platform to. which the party is also definitely pledged. For example, the land measures included in the "specified proposals " of Mr. Holland, are steep grading of the land tax and acquisition of large estates, by negotiation or compulsory purchase. Is this in substitution for the "usehold" or in preparation for that tenure? Or' are we to understand that the Labour Party has certain degrees in its definite, pledges — that it will stiffen the graduated land tax, and it. may .introduce the "usehold"? There is another item which illustrates this certain lack of definition of the specified proposals: "the abolition of boy conscription and the reorganisation of the defence- system." "Abolition of boy conscription" is sufficiently definite if we know what '' boy conscription" is. Probably it refers to the Senior Cadet system, as ,par£ of our universal military training plan. But why this should be called "conscription" we cannot see. It is certainly compulsory; but there is very little of the military about it' now except the organisation. The compulsion is similar to that in other forms of training and education. Then tho "reorganisation of the defence system"—is "reorganisation" a euphemistic term for "abolition," because the literary taste of'the Labour Party objects to redundant phraseology, or because -its political sense counsels mildness? » ♦ • ■ Replying to the Chambers of- Commerce tax resolutions the Minister of Finance appears as an advocate, or at least ail apologist for the land tax. The mildness and caution of his reply suggest that desire to please which inspired a somewhat similar answer: "Parts of it arc excellent." "Whatever the merits'' of the abolition proposal it is not "within the range of practical politics, at present." The land tax is regarded by the . majority of farmers as a fair substitute for income tax. It represents■a stable source of revenue when incomes show a temporary downward and fluctuating tendency. It furnishes a partial solution to the question of the unearned increment, and has the support of public opinion. We agree that the land tax has the merits which the Minister submits, but the Minister speaks for a party which has done its best to weaken these advantages. The land tax is a stable source of revenue, and a partial solution to the question of unearned increment only to the extent that it is treated as land tax. .If it is regarded as a tax on capital, subject to reduction on account of mortgages, its stability is lessened. As a certain source of revenue it can no longer be'relied upon to the same extent. We' are at one with the Ministpr in opposing any hasty abolition of this tax by direct means; but we go further anil oppose also the indirect abolition which is effected by the greatly increased mortgage exemption which is quite contrary to the principle of the tax. * : * * , ' "It is, after all, only a blank cartridge," said Sir Francis Bell in dopreeating the use of the word "demand" by the spokesman of a meeting! of un-

employed. Sensible men do not need to bo thus reminded. They realise (hat the power and authority which warrant a use of tho term are' usually accompanied by a discretion which counsels abstention from the languago of dictation. The man strong enough to demand often owes his strength to tho fact that1 he is tactful enough to request. But a better argument still against, this term is the fact that it implies authority for similar language and methods by the party addressed. "It would bo just as fair," said Sir Francis 8011, "for tho Government to demand that tho men should work at certain wages. under certain conditions.-" If tho State is1 to be under an imperative obligation to provido work at certain rates of pay for all, then the -State 'must have authority to insist that all, not only, tho unemployed, shall work under the conditions which it may prescribe. This would be Communism, and the negation of individual freedom.' Theoretically it might be acceptable to the Christchurch unemployed spokesman, but, having in mind that same spokesman's warning that it was no use offering him "syljvan or horticultural occupation," we doubt very much whether it would appeal in practice. * * « . Pleasing, but not wholly deserved, is. tho New York "Sun's" praise of New Zealanders as a people who care for natural beauty. The report upon which the "Sun" comment is ■ based evidently refers to the Marlborough Sounds. There, it is true, there are many owners of sections who are enthusiastic in advocacy and practice of bush preservation. But all New Zealanders are not the same. From end to end of New Zealand we may see destruction without protest until there is but a pitiful remnant of the former forest glory. When almost everything worth preserving has gone, the preservation instinct is awakened. It is so in the Marlborough Sounds. .Thousands, of acres have been denuded of bush to provide very poor grazing land. It is gratifying that the public appreciation of beauty is now reinforcing the appeal for saving what remains. But it would be still more gratifying if we could be sure that the lesson would be learnt earlier in other localities before' destruction has gone so far.