ROTARY AND UNEMPLOYMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21743, 7 March 1934, Page 13

ROTARY AND UNEMPLOYMENT

Sir, —The report made by the Rotary Club upon unemployment has much in it which deserves commendation, particularly that part referring directly to their land development proposals. So long as New Zealand depends chiefly for her commercial success upon the. returns obtained from the sale of her primary products the successful solution to the many important land difficulties and problems with which this country is confronted to-day must remain a matter of paramount importance. In so far as New Zealand is concerned, the successful solution of our land problems is the foundation upon which is built her whole economic structure. The reduction of the present inflated land values upon which mortgages have been raised to the extent of £.':1;38 millions, mostly of which are highly inflated, lias got to bo one of the first steps taken toward our rehabilitation. Mr. F. Whivtome, in commenting on the proposals, refers to them as "uninspiring," because ho cannot read into'them any relief for the business community from their heavy burden of taxation. 1 would like to point out to that gentleman that so long as tl.e present taxation system remains in operation there is no possible hope of obtaining taxation relief. The existing system is undoubtedly both iniquitous and unfair and it must be substituted by tho graduated land tax, a sound and just system and the only real weapon known to economic science for the retention of lands at their true value. Edward H. Sutherland.