TIMARU AND THE PROPERTY TAX.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1299, 5 June 1880, Page 2

TIMARU AND THE PROPERTY TAX.

Tuiaru, June 5. The meeting 'to ' protest against the property tax last evening was.most unanimous. The Queen's Hall as crowded by over 600 persons 'including many leading citizens. : The: Mayor, who presided, introduced-the proceedings by denouncing the' taxi-.a;s: a irij&rcilesS.whip exercLsed'byr wealthy landowners to avoid: the'necessity' of paying for improvements from which they had benefited; A subsequent speaker vigorously protested against, the property tax being-substituted for the land, tax on the grotind-' that.ythe latter- was: fair-'and' reasonable,'while ' the former, was oppressive and'; dishonest. :The following resolutionswefe passed:—"That in the opinion of this meeting the property tax is unfair in principle, it being initiated at a most inopportune time, when the trade and commerce of the colony.are still in a very depressed condition ; arid will prove not only oppressive but exceedingly injurious to the progress of the colony, and should therefore be: repealed." " That a petition be drawn up and signed as largely as possible embodying the resolution; carried to-night and'forwarded to the member for Timaru; for presentation to the Government." An amendment in favor of the property tax was lost, and a resolution demanding .the, repeal of the tax and pledging meeting not to comply with the Act', was withdrawn.