The Political Programme

Observer, Volume X, Issue 621, 22 November 1890, Page 9

The Political Programme

Here are Sir Georr e Grey's fiscal proposals. He says the land tax might be made to produce .£150,000 a-year. An income tax un bondholders would produce .£IOO,OOO a-year. An income tax on colonial incomes would realise another .£150,000 a-yeac. An income tax on private incomes beyond the colony would produce This would give a total sum of .£480,000, in place of bhe .£355,000 xaised by the property tax. The twin Premiers of .New Zealand, acting and non-acting, propose instead to continue the objectionable property tax and to make a grab at Maori lands. Methinks the political honesty and ability are this time all on the side of the Opposition ; and if, as I trnst, the anti- Atkinson candidates all over the colony will adopt the Greyite platform, they would be certain to be sent to Parliament with a large majority. But alas! for the rarity of common sense and unity among the politicians of the colony. I fully expect that, when the balance ia struck after the election, the Banks' and Usurers' candidates will be found to have succeeded once more in forginer fresh links in that Continuous Ministerial chain which binds the borrowing slave to the lending slave-driver. The Land Tax party must be defeated at any coat ; for, don't you ace, if they succeed, the power of the British money syndicates will vanish by a natural process akin to that which occurs when one shakes off a nightmare. Lovers of Liberty and Justice will vote for no candidate who is not ' straight J in his pledge to support a Land Tax.