A SINGLE TAX CAMPAIGN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5582, 4 June 1896, Page 2

A SINGLE TAX CAMPAIGN.

Tho State of Delaware is being disturbed by a political movement of a most unique character. In Juno, last year, it was suggested by a prominent follower of Henry George that single taxers should concentrate their efforts on that little State, and endeavour, at the election taking place in November, 1896, to return a single tax Legislature. The"^ idea was to furnish an objeot lesson in rational taxation to the world. From its inception the agitation has been cai*ried on with the zeal and fervour and religious on thusiasm of a crusade. Those engaged in the work have great confidence in being able to carry the State by convincing the majority of its 38,000 electors. Open air meetings are held in the cities at street corners, with empty packing-boxes for rostrums, at country cross roads, in tho stores, in the churches and in the school-houses. Through the length and breadth of the State go uniformed men with vans and circus tents, aided in attracting audiences by music and by cycloramic views. These. men hold, meetings, distribute literature,' and visit people at their houses in every corner of • the State. "Ih the towns and villages the theatres and concert halls are filled to overflowing by crowds who assemble to hear Henry George, William Lloyd Garrison, Judge Maguire, Bolton Hall ahd others of the orators of the cause expounding the theory of "The Prophet of San Francisco." At Wilmington ,3000 people filled the Opera House to hear Father M'Glynn, and 2000 more were turned into overflow meetings addressed by other speakers. The simple proposition is everywhere laid down that the earth belongs to all men, and that tho occupier of any portion of it should as a matter of common right and justice pay into the Treasury for the use of all what the right of exclusive occupation is worth. Everywhere it is urged that the m t an who cultivates or builds on land should not be taxed more than the man who holds land idle. It is insisted everywhere that the single tax involves " the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God." The spirit that inspires the crusaders is unselfish. They give their time and money, and look for no reward but the success of their cause,, confident that success in Delaware means success throughout the world. It is the spirit of "that saving remnant that each generation has had in sufficient numbers to prevent humanity from lapsing into a mass of stagnant selfishness." Success in Delaware is probably far from certain, and the effect of victory upon the world at large is, doubtless, wildly exaggerated, for the practical obstacles to the adoption of the single tax. aro enormous; but it is by sublime faith and self-sacrifice such as these American enthusiasts display that great moral triumphs are won. Everyone interested in the question of equitable taxation will watch with interest the outcome of the Delaware campaign.