THE INTERESTS OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7392, 23 March 1886, Page 3

THE INTERESTS OF AUCKLAND.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir,—lt is not well to see our public men avoiding the matter of Auckland s financial affairs. In these bad times money is scarce (I believe), and we must insist upon our cash accounts being made clear and squared up. Our great statesman has publioly stated " that if it ever came to a question between Auckland and the South of adjustment of accounts they would be fairly treated by Southern statesmen, and that full and ample justice would be done by the Bouth to Auckland." Sir G. Grey, Messrs. Tole, Moss, Farnall, &c., will not touch this matter. They may rest assured the public do not consider it beneath notice. Mr. Farnall says that " the propertied classes must pay the taxes, as they alone have benefited by the public expenditure." This is a very sweeping and fallacious assertion. For wages have been kept up at a high rate compared with the United States and other countries. All trades have largely benefited by the mil" liorspntincirculation. Propertied classes,with land remote from railways, roads, and bridges, as in Auckland, have not benefited, but have had the pleasure of paying what has done good to others. Owing to the rise in wages, caused by the squandering of millions, they cannot find hands to work at remunerative prices, just as at the Australian gold-, digging times. Of course, those men whose' districts have actually benefited should be made to pay; but is it statesmanship to include all landholders—men who are only injured by the distant expenditure? .In America land along the railways, 20 miles back on each side, is valued and sold and taxed at a high rate. Beyond the 20 miles any one can run cattle and sheep free, At no cost, so that the cost of rearing and fattening a four-year-old steer comes to but four dollarsone dollar a-year. Separation will have to be seriously considered some day. North Queensland is working hard for it, Ireland is about to obtain Home Rule, through Parnell's efforts, Auckland requires the management of her affairs, ana an adjustment of accounts. — am, Ac,, < Adcelandia.