SIR H. ATKINSON'S "MANIFESTO."

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8936, 19 November 1890, Page 2

SIR H. ATKINSON'S "MANIFESTO."

TO THE EDUOR. Sir, — It is refreshing to find that everyono is not blinded by Sir H. Atkinson's „ " manifesto," and the letter of Monday evening, signed by " W. K. Hulke," is worthy of study by every elector in New Zealand. Mr W. K. Uiilke says : " I can see little in it to ba truly thankful for; in fact, increased taxation looms in the near future."' For tho past ten years I have been a political opponent of Sir H. Atkinson's, and I have no reason now to change my views, for I am conviuced that so long as he holds tho whip so long shall we bo hcourg-ed. Our present Premier may be head and shoulders above his henchmen, but unfortunately for us and New Zealand his talents travel in the wrong groove — his political views take the wrong track, 'ij He does not know what the country requires and I am afraid now he never will. He has but one single thought for the people, and that single thought and aim is to grind taxes out of them. To tax them to the uttermost is his only policy, lie says, "We have a splendid country, and our resources are boundless and the taxpayer's back is broad." That has been, his cry &o long as E can remember, and still is. Give him but another ten years and he will by that time drive every settler out of the land, an-l then Te Whiti's prophetic utterances will have been proved — " The pakeha is gone; the lan lis ours." _ The Premier has been lauded for his political honesty. "W. K. H. :I says, and it is ouly too true : "If a reduction is made in the staff the compansation is paid, and the recipient rewarded by a fresh o.Ttee." What did Sir Harry do at the close of last session ? When the ekinliints demanded that reduction should lie made to the amount of 1150,000, he quietly put them all back again on the supplementary estimates, hoping to smuggle it througu without notice. This is what some people call honesty ! His Property Tax tad is another instance of his honesty. He is not only robbing the people of their hardly earned money by taxing their frugality uud enterprise — or, to quote "W. K. H.," for turning a wilderness in a garden — but he is robbing the country of thousands of settlers and millions of .pounds by this obnoxious tax. Ever since this tax was introduced this country has steadily, but surely, made a retrogade movement, and in another decide property in New Zealand will not be worth a red cent.

Sir 11. Atkinson lias not faced the difficulties of our position : he has proposed nothing to get us out of our troubles. Why does he not strike at the root of tho cvi' by cutting off the "higher education?'' Jubt fancy, £391,000 set down for education ! That alone is enough to stifle New Zealand. Defence and Police, £163,000 ! As for defence, it's a gross imposition ! The Police Department will, 1 am sorry to say, be more required than ever — our education system will ensure that ! " W.K.H." in conclusion says : "Advice gratis is the sum total given by the State ; for does not Sir Harry conclude his written speech recommending patience, economy, and self-reliance; with these essentials our present difficulties would disappear, and New Zealand become the home of millions of happy people." In conclusion, I can inform Sir Harry and his henchmen that tli3 people of New Zealand are just about full up of patience and economy, and if something desperate is not clone, and done quickly too, a surprise will be in store for him that he little dreams of now. — 1 am, &c, Vox Porrju, Vox Dei.