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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 976, 8 September 1868, Page 2

Mr. Coleuso compares this rate to the poll-tax which has proved, so obnoxious in the Province of Auckland. We would say, first, that, iv such a place as Auckland was until very lately — where destitution had reached an unheard of pitch — a tax of some

kind for the relief of the destitute was unavoidable. The Couucil chose the mode which involved easiest collection —they imposed a poll tax of ten shillings per head of the male adult population. This impost gave rise to a terrible outery — which, in our opinion, was a very senseless, if not absolutely inhuman outcry. Thousands who would think nothing auy Saturday uight of " shouting" to the extent of ten shillings, bawled themselves hoarse in expatiating upon the iniquity of an annual tax to a similar extent for the relief of the 'sick and destitute. Well, the Act became a dead letter — the collection of the rate was abandoned. What is the consequence ? " Thl Provincial authorities," says the Southern, Cross of the 20th ult., " tell the citizens that at the cud of the mouth, not a fortnight hence, the patients in the Hospital will be sent away, the insane thrust out of the Asylum, and the whole issue of rations to the destitute stopped." There is, it is true, some mention of a purpose ou the part of the wealthier portion of the community to contribute privately towards a fund for these purposes. But, in the first place, the project will never be carried out to the required extent ; in the second, even were it so, more injustice would really be involved thau iv the collection of the tax. The contributions would, in reality, come from a liberal-minded few, instead of from the multitude, who are most deeply interested. While thus expressing our own views upon the Auckland poll-tax, we do not admit for a moment that the two imposts are similar in character. The one is a tax upon men — including, without doubt, a large proportion of persous who have no family ties ; the other, a rate, to some extent, upon property — for iv many cases it will indirectly fall upon the landlord. It is also a tax adapted to reach those who are most interested in education- — fathers of families. Above all, it is only a temporary measure — a commission having been appointed to prepare a new scheme against next session — in this respect, certainly, being like the Act which has raised such a dust in the northern capital. But what was the real cause of the determined opposition to the poll-tax. I We could uot gather this from the speeches delivered on the subject, each speaker choosing apparently his own ground of objection. What says the Southern Cross ? " The opposition to the tax has been caused in great part by the idea that, after all, it was wauted to keep provincial institutions going. " Well, no such ground of objection can apply to the case in, question, it being expressly provided by the Act that the funds arising from this rate shall be carried by the Provincial Treasurer to the credit of a separate account, aud dealt with for no other than educatioual purposes. Mr. Colenso objects to the rate on the ground that it is excessive in proportion to what is required. Possibly so, but the amount raised (supposiug it to be raised) will not nearly equal what has hitherto been paid for the support of schools ; and no schoolmaster has yet derived from his arduous profession more thau a mere pittance in the shape of emolument. The objection as to the State supporting religious teaching is very groundless. All the schools, but two, hitherto assisted by government, are common or secular. The exceptions are the schools in connection with St. Mary's (Roman Catholic) church. But iv neither of those is catechism or auy religious formula taught except before aud after school hours and to those children whose parents require it. We have endeavored thus promptly, although imperfectly, to meet some of the arguments used by om* correspondent, because we greatly fear the iuflueuce of the example set by so able, aud generally liberal, a fellow townsman as Mr. Coleuso. If the rate be not collected, some dozen well educated aud well conducted men will find themselves at the end of this quarter in a state of hopeless insolvency ; while, what is far more serious, every school in the interior will be closed after the present quarter. The consequence will be that the province, in the matter of education, will be thrown back for years, and will become, in this respect, a byword and a reproach to its ueighbors. We ask of the public generally that they reflect, aud well weigh the matter, before they act upon the suggestion made by our correspondent.