LINCOLN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3798, 17 June 1880, Page 3

LINCOLN.

A public meeting was held in the Lincoln schoolroom on Tuesday evening last, to discuss tho proposed Property tax and other mattsrs affecting fche action of the present Government. The room was crammed to excess by persons from the surrounding districts, Prebbleton, Springston, Tai Tapu, and Green Park, besides a large number of farmers and others in the Lincoln district, and the greatest interest was taken in the proceedings. The chair was taken by the Rev A. P. O'Callaghan, Chairman of the Springs Bond Board, who asked fche gentle men who had convened the moeting to address those present. Mr Townsend moved, and Mr Sharp seconded — "That this meeting is of opinion that tho Property tax is unfair in principle, taxing unduly the agricultural trade and commerce of the country, and thab a Land tax and Income tax would deal more fairly and equally with the country at large." Considerable discussion followed upon this resolution, and a number of opinions were expreesed as to the effect of the Inconia tax up n those who how escaped taxation. Some contended that the Property tax did not fall equally upon all, but that the burden fell upon the farmer, while the professions were not reached at all, and tbe motion wus ultimately put and carried. Mr Gammack moved, and Mr Haydm seconded — "That this meeiing cordially endorses the palicy of the present Government in withdrawing all subsidies trom local bodies under the present circumstances of the Colony." > • Mr Gammack's views wero approved of by tho Chairman, and by most of those presont, and the resolution was carriel unanimously. Mr Haydon moved, and Mr Bell seconded — "That this meeting also warmly approves of the proposal of the Government to reduce the public expenditure in the Civil Servico generally," After a short discussion, which showed the meeting fully coincided with the mover, the resolution was put and carried unanimously. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Anderson, seconded by Mr Taylor — "Thut the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to Mr J. T. Fisher, M.H.8., for the district." Carried. The Chairman said before the meeting dispersed he wished to express his regret that I the resolution in favour of a Land tax and an Income tax had been carried, and that he felt assured that if they were successful in the.r deßire they would soon see the fol'y of suoh a change, and would meet again afc a public meeting and pass resolutions with a desire to reverse the decision of that evening. On the motion of Mr Gammack, a vote of thanks to tbe Chairman was carried by acclamation, and the mooting concluded.