THE HON. MR LARNACH AT SOUTH DUNEDIN.

Evening Star, Issue 7484, 31 March 1888, Page 1

THE HON. MR LARNACH AT SOUTH DUNEDIN.

The Hon. Mr Laknach was under great disadvantage when holding a Ministerial portfolio, in that he had, when delivering public addresses, to repress the exuberance of his spirits, and confine himself very much to endeavoring to justify the policy of the Cabinet. Now, being literally fancy free, the honorable gentleman comes out in his true colors, and his speech on Wednesday evening, if we may be allowed to say so without offence, was decidedly more amusing than instructive. The member for the Peninsula is essentially of a genial temperament, and has excellent intentions, but is wanting in some of the qualifications of a practical politician. He lacks earnestness of purpose, and his principles are not altogether steadfast. Formerly staunch in the advocacy of open commerce and unfettered trade, he now declares that nothing but a measure of ultra-Protection can relieve the existing depression. The experiment, it is not impossible, may be tried, but the result is not likely to fulfil the aspirations or strengthen the present convictions of Mr Larnach. As to the subject matter of the deliverance at Naumann's Hall, there is very little that calls for serious comment. It was hardly to be expected that the late colleague of Sir Julius Vogel would approve of the financial policy of the present Treasurer ; and we are not surprised therefore that Mr Larnach should express disapproval of retrenchment, and laugh to scorn the idea of saving money by cutting down Ministerial salaries and allowances as well as the reduction of the honorarium. It was the principal fault of the late Government that they failed to realise the necessity for economy, and appeared indeed unable to understand what the word implied. The country, however, happens to think differently, and will certainly never again tolerate such reckless expenditure, regardless of the limit of legitimate ways and means, as Mr Larnach was a party to, and would apparently start again if he had his way. His tirade against retrenchment demonstrates that he has the courage of his opinions, but is hardly judicious ; it may possibly be remembered when he has turned over another leaf, and, may be, is preaching economic reform. In the matter of the incidence of taxation, we confess ourselves unable to follow the thread of the honorable gentleman's argument, The present system is doing, he asserts, great harm—" the obnoxious property " tax more than the people have any " idea of. . . . There was nothing " that prevented men with capital set- " tling in the country more than that " tax " ; and he proceeds to say that "the country would never benefit "by taxation until it was prepared "to go in for a pure and simple " land tax and an income tax. "If they desired to raise re- " venue besides, they would have to "do it through the Customs. There " again was the necessity for a protec"tive policy!" Does Mr Larnach mean that he would raise the main revenue by a land tax and an income tax, supplemented if absolutely necessary by Customs duties? Does he think such fiscal arrangements would be likely to attract capital 1 and how does he conneot therewith " a protective policy V These are conundrums we cannot pretend to solve. Protection, if it is to effect the object declared to be aimed at, would so minimise the receipts of the Customs as to necessitate a large increase of direct taxation. Does Mr Larnach maintain that property, other than land, is not to contribute to make up the deficiency, or that, under existing circumstances, it is not fairly made contributory to the expenses of Government? As to the income tax, it is much easier to talk about it, as the late Ministry were continually doing, than to adjust it equitably or devise effective machinery for collection. What Sir Julius had to give up as hopeless the member for the Peninsula is hardly likely to accomplish. We are rather, however, inclined to think that the honorable gentleman throughout his speech was rather talking down to his immediate audience than endeavoring to elevate their political ideas. A land tax and an income tax are always popular notions with people not troubled with either land or incomes of an amount likely to be mulcted. All things considered, Mr Larnach, having a conspicuously bad case, did not do so badly, and his speech undoubtedly was, as he intended, effective with that section of the Peninsula electors who inhabit the Flat. Residence on low ground, Mr Grant once said in the Provincial Council, is not conducive to intellectual vigor, and the applause which greeted some of the honorable gentleman's most audacious assumptions would certainly seem to support the theory. Personally and socially Mr Larnach is so altogether estimable that it must be a subject of regret that he should embark on the sea of politics at all, where he would seem to drift helplessly with every current of popular opinion and to be unable to steer a direct course. It is very good of him and exceedingly well meant to address his constituents so often as he does, but it would be better that he broke the precedent when he has nothing more to the point to say than he had on the last occasion.