SIR CHARLES DILEE ON TAXATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4969, 20 October 1890, Page 3

SIR CHARLES DILEE ON TAXATION.

Bir Oharleß Tlilke , in a papor in tho New Review on " The Hadical Programme," devotes a good share of his apaco to the important subject of the taxation of property, both of land and of incomes. Ho points out that tho familiar argument nguinst graduated taxation, that it would drive capital out of the country, will not avuil when it is found that in the now countries to which capital might turn, the principle of graduated taxation hus already been adopted. Uhe strength of the modorn progressive movement liea in the fact that it is of an internationol churaoter. The workers in tho old world and in tlio now seem to have mude eimultanoaualy tho same discovery— viz , that while they nro tho chiof agents in the creation of wealth, its enjoyment is limited to a pririlrgod few. Those tew; whilo excluding the masses from tho opportunities for recreation and culture, have managed at the same time to throw upon them tho burden of maintaining tho citato under an iniquitoUß system of taxation. So long ob political power waa controd in an oligarchy or a bourgeoisie till this was feasibly enough for the ruling class. And doubtless ihe tiret change could only comii whon the people had secured their political rights With the close of the political Btrueglo the eociul conflict begins ; and it will tusk all the energies and abilities of the highest statesmanship to meet it. Some political rights thore aro which yet remain to be won • but their acquisition is certain, and cannot bo postponed to any appreciable distance of time. The people know and feel this, and they are pushing on to the inevitable goal of eocial emancipation, without which they are convinced no political victories will enablo them to lead a full or joyous life.