MORE CONSERVATIVE METHODS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIII, Issue 12158, 23 March 1900, Page 5

MORE CONSERVATIVE METHODS.

The assertion made by Mr James Allen, at iWyndham, that the Premier had opposed [the exemption of improvements from the [(operation of the Land Tax in 1892 is one of Ifchose half truths that are proverbially worse jfchan a direct falsehood. The member for {Bruce was simply trading on the short Memories of hiis audience. But the facts foray be easily recalled. When the Land p,nd Income Assessment Bill was passing (through Committee in the House of Representatives Six George Grey proposed to ptrike out the exemption of three thousand founds, with a view, he said, to insert a (clause exempting all improvements. This ■took the members of the Opposition as Jmuch by surprise as it did the members of the Ministerial Party; but seeing an opportunity to embarrass the Government—which •)had previously promised to extend the exemption as rapidly as the circumstances of jfche colony would permit—the former supported Sir George Grey’s amendment. Mr fallen was not even in th© House at the tiime, and knew nothing of the motion or jol the attitude of his Party, but having placed his vote in the hands of the vrfup, his name was duly recorded among the , pairs. ’ And now he has the extraordinary pssurapee to talk about the Opposition, jwhio'h had fought tooth and nail for the (retention of the Property Tax, seeking to fexempt improvements! When the Bill had jpassed the Committee, Mr Seddon clearly (explained the position and the intentions of ifche Government. “ I hope,” he isaid, “ that (as circumstances permit there will be a gradual extension of the exemptions, until 'the time will come when we shall be able [to do away with the taxation of improvements altogether. Our first duty as a Government is to see that w© are able to meet jour liabilities and pay our way. We have Hone that, and we have exempted as far as (ire possibly could with safety.” At that itime the Conservatives were declaring that jthe colony was “ galloping to a deficit,” Sand under the circumstances the hesitation (of th© Government was natural enough ibut no sooner was this gloomy prediction disproved than it exempted all improvements, and so removed the last trace ‘of the Iniquitous Property Tax.