Rob the Taxpayers.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 384, 30 November 1889, Page 3

Rob the Taxpayers.

[io the emtob.J Mr Arthur—true to the instinct which cgse recently exposed induced him to fMad for bis pocket, in circumstances which look strange when brought to the light of day—has stated that he would have the duty on native land removed, which I consider to mean robbery of the overburdened taxpayers for the benefit not of the natives, but of the landgrabbers, Mr Arthur says he believes in Atkinson. Let any elector turn up page 584 Of Hansard No. 94, and note the opposite views taken by Sir Harry and Mr Arthur. This is what Sir Harry has to say I can quite understand the anxiety of the Maori members about the matter, but I confess I am somewhat surprised at the action of the leader of the Opposition. This is a matter pt revenue, and I think that when I put it to the House honourable members will not agree with the proposition. Injustice to the colonists generally. The point is this : that we have at the present time an extrsor dinary expenditure for the purpose of clothing the Natives with a good title. The cost per annum was, last year, some £17,000. Now, that is for the purpose of giving the Natives a good title to the land, and I think out of that land ought to come the post of clothing it with the good title, Therefore it seems to me impossible to remit this amount. And I may, further, tell the House that the 10 per aunt, does not fully cover the coat. The estimate, this year, through the removal of restrictions, will be £4.000 or £5,000 or £6,000 beyond the duties. Well, now, if we were to agree to th[s resolution we should probably Obtain hgs than haif tho amount which the polony expends for the purpose of giving Nab us a proper and equitable title, It is not incumbent upon us to clothe the Natives with this sort of title at the coat of the colony. It does not seem reasonable. The colonists have made the Native lands of value—public works and ths settlement of the country have made those lands valuable, —I am, etc., A Milch Cow.