SINGLE TAX LEAGUE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4427, 6 August 1901, Page 6

SINGLE TAX LEAGUE.

A MANIFESTO TO THE PEOPLE. The National Single Tax League of New Zealand has resolved to issue the following manifesto:—The time has arrived v.'nen your attention should be directed to the importance of the allied queations of land and taxation as affecting this country, AVe admit that much good has been done, but we do not see that our legislation contains those principles which will save this colony from the social ills of older countries, from the impoverish* ment and degradation of the masses of toilers and from that unrest and fear which, as is now universally admitted, springs from an iniquitous and unequal distribution Of wealth, coupled with crushing indirect taxation, the latter falling almost wholly on the working classes. Already the symptoms of these evils hav. shown themselves among us. Even Now Zealand has had its cycle periods of industrial and commercial depression, -i«» cessitating relief works and Lhe distribution of food and clothing. AVe admit that in this country commonable efforts have been made, and are being made by the authorities to avert these evils by legislation, but the ques* tiou arises whether this legislation is a real remedy? Does it by its incidence enable the producer to retain all of that which rightfully belongs to him ? Does it break down land monopoly—that growth, which, with material progress, claims an ever increasing jiroportion of the products of labour, and a consequent reduction of the labourer's share? Does it reduce taxation on the masses? Decidedly not! Legislation may be so devised as to bav# merely the appearance of a reform without the reality. It may seem to ovei» turn the old system, and yet foster all its abas is in a new and subtle form, less apparent, and therefore more dangerous. AVe are of opinion that the so-called land policy now obtaining in New Zealand, instead of being a remedy, perpetuates everything vicious in the old system, and at the same time places the lands of the colony beyond the control of the people. That land monopoly is the root-evil of our social system is now recognised even in the Conservative Mother Country, where important local bodies, such as the London County Council, the Glasgow Corporation, etc., are striving for powers to acquire land for the housing of the people; whilst in every- civilised country the need for making land accessible to the people has been recognised by legislative enactments.

It is true that the purchase of a "big estate” will settle some people on the land. It does not, however, abolish the landlord, it only changes him, and in such a way that he is not readily found or seen. Not only is the past unearned increment being placed beyond the reach of the people for ever, unless taxation is resorted to, but the future unearned increment, notwithstanding that the colony pays heavily for the land, is again being alienated. Ethically, a lease of this description is inexplicable and we dispute the right of the people of any time to will away the land from future generations.

When a purchase turns out badly the land is left on the hands of the Government, but when the purchase results in a profit to the tenant, Which, it must be admitted, appears to be frequently the case, he retains the unearned increment during his occupancy, and when he ia ready to sell or transfer ho rack-rents his successor; that is, the suocesor pays the stipulated rent to the Crown as first agreed on, as well as a further rent or purchase price to the first lessee. After such land has changed hands several times, it is not difficult to imagine what will be the position of the occupier, whose original rent will in many coses be a mere peppercorn compared with that which he will have to pay to the heirs and executors of his predecessors. The continuatioi of this system of purchase and re-if&)e means not only aggravating, but also perpetuating the evils which it is supposed to alleviate. Single Taxers contend that the unearned increment of land should be acquired yearly by the State, and that the yield therefrom should be substituted for all other forms of taxation. The users of land both in town and country are in this position: They must in the nature of things either pay rent to an individual landlord or to the State. If to the State, it becomes a common fund to which all contribute, and it is therefore really not a tax at all, because it will be given back in some form or other: hence we say that the Single Tax is the negation of all taxation. In a word we propose, not suddenly, but gradually, to absorb the whole of the unearned increment in taxation.

The land for settlement policy shows that there is a demand for reform, and whilst regarding it to that extent as a step in the right direction, this League holds that all unearned increment should be secured to the community, to whose presence and industry that value is due. It is proposed to assess it by means of m tax on unimproved land value, such tax to be gradually, increased, at the same time remitting other taxes which fall at present on labour and capital, beginning with the remission of taxes on the necessaries of life, until all taxes are levied on unimproved land values only—bene* the name "Single Tax.’’ The present annual unimproved value of land in New Zealand is about -C4,ei>o,000, so that the yield would be beyond our requirements. -i- vj-: The justness of such a tax is not only admitted in theory, but is recognised in our legislation, and endorsed by the people who have voluntarily adopted this method of local taxation in almost evenr district where it has been proposed. We have also for State revenue purposes a tax on the unimproved value of land, and although it is not so perfect in its form as that in use by local bodies, it has, nevertheless, met with general approval, and it is believed tllat its adoption ten years ago was the principal cause of the comparative prosperity which has continued since that time. All the machinery necessary to give effect to an increased land tax exists. The valuation rolls show the improved and unimproved value of every perch of land in the colony, together with areas, descriptions, ownership, etc.; and it should be borne in mind that any further increase In the land tax would add absolutely nothing to the cost of collection. It will be seen that our proposal to tax land values has passed from the theoretical stage info practical politics. But in order to obtain the full benefit of the system, the principle must bo carried to such an extent that mere holding of land without using it will become impossible. If this were done there would bo plenty of land available for settlement without paying exorbitant prices to speculators and others. The present system of purchase tends to sustain land values at a fictitious level. Our proposal would cheapen land and lighten the burdens sf the community generally. The cry of "land for the people” is now all but universal. In the Commonwealth of Australia the question commanding perhaps the greatest attention at present is that the territory of the Federal City should be retained by and for the Commonwealth —that it should not be alienated. In view of this New -Zealand should not lag behind. The eyes of ths world are watching our social experiments, and we should strive to show ourselves worthy of the title of leaders in social reform. We, of the National League of Single Taxers, invite you, therefore, to co-oper-ate with us in carrying to a successful issue this fundamental reform, so as to make our country truly a land where all people shall enjoy equal rights and equal liberties.