A SINGLE TAX—BRAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11690, 27 June 1901, Page 3

A SINGLE TAX—BRAINS.

, TO THE EDITOR. < Sir, —Our lives are haunted nowaday!! by letters on single tax. i.e., a tax on land only. I have read many of them, but cannot claim to lie converted to the views expresses! by Messrs. Fowltls, King, and others. These writers insist that the- presence of the community gives ail the value to land, and therefore land should bear the whole weight of taxation. 1 know of a piece of land which seems to give different returns to different occupants. This is one of the main corners in Queen-street. It was formerly occupied by a clothier and drawer, who lost money and finally left Auckland a ruined man. It ifi now occupied by a clothier and draper, who is very successful and prosperous in his business. Both of these men, in exactly similar trades, on the same corner, had the advantage of the presence of the community. One makes money; the other lost it. What is the reason of this? The answer is that one, man has more brain than the other. This is what I want to get at, Mr. Editor. Here wo have an unequal distribution of the gifts of the Creator. Some men are endowed with ranch more brain than others. Is this right? Is this, just? We have decided by legislation that one man is to have one vote only. This is democratic equality. Why, then, should one man have more- brains than another? I say, sir, that such a, state of affairs in a democratic community demands righting at once, and culls loudly for legislative enactment. If one man has more land, more money than another, he pays more taxes ; why, then, should the man with more brains escape? If some individuals will persist in having; (neater mental parts than others, they should bo dealt with accordingly. It may be objected that it will be a difficult matter to assess such endowment's. The remedy is simple. Mr. Scddon, I am sure, would set up a board of experts (of the right colour), who could take evidence and arrive at a perfectly satisfactory adjustment or taxable value. " 1 may say, strictly between ourselves. Mr. Editor, that I have a personal reason for urging this species of taxation, as I would escape scot free. I think I have indicated in this letter an avenue for taxation which would meet all requirements. Sincerely trusting that some able pec; will further this matter —I am > etc., Br.uxi.ess.