RIGHT IS MIGHT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9494, 17 August 1891, Page 3

RIGHT IS MIGHT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —The views expressed on the financial proposal! of the Government by those concrete bodies, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farmers’' Co-operative, and, lastly, by the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, are as’ one, because the one is a reflex of the other, and mostly express the views of those who, in the past, escaped from the responsibility of contributing their fair share of taxation, owing to unjust laws, made by the representatives of wealthy landowners. Let me quote one or two of the speakers:—At the A. and P. Association meeting on Monday Mr Deans said; “The taxation proposals of the Government are calculated to injuriously affect tho interests of the tillers of the soil.” Mr P. Duncan considered “they were against the best interests of the farmers, and would bo found oppressive.” The Hon Ernest Gray “ considered nothing short of disaster could follow;” while that far-saeing savant, Mr M'Millan, thinks we are in jeopardy every hour, Mr Boag thinks progressive taxation iniquitous and disheartening in tho extreme. What a galaxy of talent we have before us, and with whatsublimity do they reason. They remind me of the witch scene in Machtih, where death and other dire disasters are presaged; bub they are only phantoms, and will vanish into thin air before the light of reason. I contend that by the change four-fifths of the great wealthproducers—i.e., small farmers —will get relief. Many professional men will be made to contribute who previously escaped, and men of large wealth will have to disgorge from their hoards; but in no instance will hardship be entailed. The leading English financial papers approve of the budget; Australian papers write in praise of the Government proposals, and predict revival in trade ; and three-fourths of the people’s representatives are satisfied that the change will be to the advantage of New Zealand. I believe tho balance (I do not mean this for a pun) of intelligence, honesty and patriotism are, with our wise and Liberal Government, and may its career be long and its end peace.—l am, &c., JOHN M‘LACHLAN. Bogeide, July 11.