A PRACTICAL LABOR PROGRAMME.

Evening Star, Volume 12869, Issue 12869, 19 July 1906, Page 7

A PRACTICAL LABOR PROGRAMME.

TO THE KPITOE. Sir,—The Hon. Mr Rigg has recently declared that what is wanted are measures to promote a better distribution of wealth. '[Tie labor programmes put forward in New Zealand and Australia do not contain any such riieasures. Now, here is a short and effective Labor programme, which might be carried out in one short sesion of Parliament, and would give the workers immediate and enormous pecuniary benefits : (1) Tax land value? 25 per cent., and make the tax progressive. (2) Tax all unearned incomes above £l5O a year 10 per cent.; above £3OO 20 per cent. (3) Increase the death duties to 20 per cent, on estates above £5,000, and 30 per cent, on estates above £IO.OOO. (4) Abolish all taxes on the necessaries of life. This programme will reduce rents of cottages one-half, cheapen commodities, and increase wages at least 25 peT cent. Th<s programme is practicable when the workers are represented in Parliament by men who do not owawind have no de?ire to own a yard of land. What is wanted is a National Labor party, including all classes of mental and manual workers for wages, to promote a better distribution of wealth. Ail wealth is produced by Labor; therefore Labor has a right to say how it shall be distributed! —I am. etc., Jan Ingkksoll. July 19.