LAND-HOLDERS AND THE PROPOSED ACREAGE TAX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 1127, 25 June 1867, Page 6

LAND-HOLDERS AND THE PROPOSED ACREAGE TAX.

Non ego mendosos ausim defendere mores, Fa'saque pro vitus arma worere raeis. Ovid, Amor, 11, 4, 1. To the Editor of the New Zealand Herald. SIE, —As egotism in educational controversy though more or less displayed in all the letters concerning Education recently published in your contemporary! has, in Mr. McDonald's letter of the Gth instant, reached the pinnacle of self-sufficiency, the undersigned {eels decided diffidence in offering the following remarks to those who had not the good fortono of being present to hear the suggestion he made at the redoubtable Drury tea meeting. Mr. McDonald arrogates to himself the credit of originating the proposal of an acreage tax for educational purposes; he is ignorant that, whilst making that valuable suggestion, lie assumes to himself what is not hia due. It is sufficient for our purpose to know_that ftll who are conversant with the rise and progress of Colonial Educational Systems will remember that this plan has been thoroughly ventilated and exploded. Why so ? Because public impositions which'of their very nature constitute State revenues cannot be applied to the interests of individuals. Now the proceeds arising from all systems of land taxation being, from their universal character, of the same nature and application as those derived from the customs duties, the property tar, cud the income tax, and consequently, essentially, public revenues, cannot, to tho prejudice of the public | weal, be applied, even though advantageously to individual bodies or local institutions. " A national system of education requires at once the co-operation of the State and the people; and it is the duty of the State to enforce education, and to see that sufficient funds' be provided for that purpose." But inasmuch as we cannot do evil that good may come of it, it is as imperative that these funds should be legitimately raised as that they should be profitably expended; it being incumbent on the Government to levy taxes on all alike, and not to burden a large and influential body for the benefit of a few. Mr. McDonald is also unaware, that whatever prosperity the country has acquired has besn effected by the eff jrts and influence of those very men, whom "his ill-directed suggestion would, if carried out, tend to remove from the country. Now, if such gentlemen aB Messrs. Firth, Buekland, and Farmer, were, in consequence of such and similar unj'iet imposts, induesd to leave us in disgust, it is very much to be doubted whether the "goodly sum." mentioned by Mr. McDonald would be forthcoming, and even though "others should come in, and possess, and improve," it is by no means certain that " the country would progress, and the hearts of the people be mida glad-" ~ The following are the benefit' that would arise from the proposed system:—(1.) The children of all will have greater facilities and means of education, in consequence of the augmentation of educational funds. (2.) It would probably cause a few to extend their cultivations. (3.) Children would be educated in the vicinity of their homes. (4.) The expenses incurred by parents would be reduced, atid where these are and paupers altogether defrayed. . The disadvantages are these H-) The illegitimacy of such a tax for such a purpose. (--) I' B unequal pressure. (3 ) Landed proprietors would D 0 induced to loavo the country. (4.) Capitalists would be deterred from settling and making land purchases. (5.) Local and unfit masters would be appointed, and children would be thus very i nperfectly educated, (6.) Improvident marriages would be multiplied, vie®

and pauperism be increased, and tho social state of "the country sunk into degradation. "We all see the evil consequences emanating from the present defective System of education in Auckland. These evils will contlnuo to exist until the Government, taking tlie whole responsibility on themselves, shall form a permanently endowed and efficient Collegiate establishment. An institution of this kind under Government control, and patronised bv our leading men, would thus be under the direction of able and learned professors, thus affording to all, the means of acquiring a liberal education. It j' 3 almost needless to add that such a college, conducted on impartial principles, and open to all denominations, would not only bo a credit to the Province, but would supply a want which has now become absolutely imperative. The funds necessary tor the endowment of such an establishment, could he procured by a t ix, bearing as nearly as possible, equally on all ; the application of such funds to ba entrusted to the Provincial Government. Education for tlio lower classes should bo procured bv means of local boards, or private subscriptions, aiiu not by a system of unjust and unequal taxation. In defence of landed proprietors, the representatives of the wealth, influence, and integrity of the Province, and in support of the principles of justice and fair play, 1 have been induced to submit to the public through the medium of your valuable columns the above remarks.—Yours, Sec., J. H. AIXSWOUTII. Wangarei, June 20, ISGr.