THE GENTLEST WAY TO TAX.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XXII, 3 June 1899, Page 764

THE GENTLEST WAY TO TAX.

IT is said that the Borough of Tapanui, which is in the prohibition district, has had to raise its rates to 1/9 in the pound, owing to the decrease of revenue consequent on the shutting of all hotels. I wonder how the residents like having to make good out of their own pockets the money that used to be derived from publichouse licenses. A man would have to be a very ardent prohibitionist indeed not to feel a certain amount of annoyance when he reflects that by his action in abolishing the cursed drink from 'his district, he has added to his own burdens. Perhaps had the prohibitionists of Tapanui contemplated how matters would turn out they would not have been so anxious to vote ‘no-license.’ It is all very well devoting one’s time to temperance meetings and the propagation of total abstinence principles, and to rescuing a frail brother from t*he temptations of the public house; but to have to pay for the drinks which the aforesaid brother does not get is a sacrifice few would be willing to undergo quite cheerfully. And that to a large extent is the actual position of the prohibitionist ratepayer in a prohibitionist district. The money which the non-prohibitionist members of the community indirectly contributed to the borough funds every time they took a glass of beer or a taste of something stronger—and most cheerfully contributed —is no longer forthcoming from the same source, and the prohibitionist has to share with his weaker brother that portion of the burden of local taxation which the latter had hitherto bore alone. If the virtuous and the well meaning are going to be rewarded in this fashion would it be a marvel if they felt just a little sore? The experience of Tapanui is bound to set us all thinking on what would be the result not only of a prohibition that applies to our own particular district, but of a national one. How would we like the change in the incidence of local and national taxation, which such a change of policy carries with it? I am afraid there are a good many of us who, under the new regime of direct taxation which affects all, would sigh for the return of the good old days of indirect taxation. Whatever economists may say to the contrary indirect taxation is a much less irritating way of extracting money from our pockets, and perhaps of all indirect methods tfhe liquor traffic affords the least irritating. The tribute which the citizen pays to Caesar at the shrine of Bacchus is invariably given with a cheerful heart, and those who give most generously give most willingly. Then again it is a tribute whidh a man need not give unless he pleases. Consequently both those who give and those who. withhold are equally satisfied. I admit that I am ignoring the moral aspect of the question; but so will flhe majority of the rate and tax payers; and if you do that I apprehend a very considerable difficulty in abolishing the most gentle and alluring method of indirect taxation that was ever invented.