THE UNEARNED INCREMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14144, 20 August 1909, Page 8

THE UNEARNED INCREMENT.

Sir,—Singlo-taxoi-9 and socialists alike «»5,4 agreed that the " unearned increment " ,-32 should belong .to the State. There is a g00d;.,; deal to say for this where the increment is -#■ really unearned, but where are we to find this? As one who took up a back block sec- - tion 20 years ago, and had to fell the bush to sow the grass-seed, to fence, road, and - build, as well as to pay rates and interest O on municipal loans and other taxes, I found, when I, sold out owing to advancing years, u;;,'; that there was no unearned increment, and f I am but one of thousands. Where, then, ' , shall we find this unearned increment? I will tell you: It is the Maori land, and the fact was impressed upon mo thus: I have a || son who is sandwiched between two Maoris,\ " who pay neither rents, rates, nor taxes; they are not liable for boundary fences, briars, or | 1 dog licenses, and yet they use (and abuse) ■'>*> what has cost us poor fools millions of pounds, while their lands aro rising in pricsjff|l every day in consequence. Here is the f .?*" unearned increment full v blown; . lot the State go for that, and the back blockers will| for once join with the socialists and single->/•'s*s taxers in shouting " Justice law for the - ' ■ stranger and for him that is born in the jj| land.'/ The Maori (not a fool) knows how to take full advantage of the position, but, ' ; how long is this to last? Just as long Taihoa and , Co. sit on the Government"' benches.'- ' Kqi'itt. V