THE SINGLE TAX.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11870, 26 August 1893, Page 2

THE SINGLE TAX.

\ TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—^Enijui," writing on the abore subject, makes the extraordinary statement that \f the immediate eiFect of making thetfand bear all the taxation would be a ripe in land values." This assertion is entirely erroneous, as the market value of land would be reduced rather than increased by a land tax ; for while tha productive powers of the land remained the same the tenant could not affoul to pay more for the use of it. On the other hand, if a piece of land worth XlOO was taxed 5 per cent, on the | unimproved value it would te worth (to i the owner) 5 por cent. less. Thus its market value would be reduced to ,£95. A non-landholder would not have to pay a higher rental than before. Writing jn the Herald on the same subject, ATr Jackson assoita that the Single Tax would fall on landowners alone. Such would not bo the case, as it would be levied on that which is the property of the whole people ; not on that which is the product of the labour of individuals. This great advantage of fairness and equality is not possessed by any other tax. Mr Jackson also says that when land fell in value wages would also fall ; in reality the reverse would bo the case, Wherever land is cheap wages are high ; a3 the land is appropriated, and its price increases, wages fall, and the unemployed difficulty arises. There would be no unemployed lflabour was not fenced off land by our absurd laws, as whenever wages fell and work became scarce enough workmen from all the various occupations would betake themselves to the land to relieve any pressure for employment. The "Labour Question" would thus be solved,— l am, Ac, „. A Wokknan, Wanganm, August 2Sth.