ALARMING.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 30, 23 November 1883, Page 15

ALARMING.

E financial position of the Colony is, to say the least, disquieting. Last session Parliament found it necessary to increase the property tax and it is now quite certain that next session our legislators will have to provide for a very large deficit of the revenue. Where are they to look for additional ways and means ? Will it be to the Customs ? With the exception of tea and sugar, almost everything imported is already taxed to its utmost capacity. Any further taxation, according to all experience, would only have the effect of impeding trade and rendering the Customs still less productive than they are at present. So far, then, as the Customs are concerned, nothing can be expected from them in the way of additional income unless the duties on tea and sugar be restored to their former level. But, then, what becomes of the promise of a free breakfast table ? And then, again, what an outcry and agitation would not a proposal to raise revenue by heavy taxes on tea and sugar provoke.

It is probable, therefore, that our Treasurer will look elsewhere for the required revenue. And where is he to look ? Much additional revenue, tinder the present circumstances cannot be expected from the land, unless, indeed a smart land tax be imposed. But it is well known that the party in power dare not propose such a measure. Their existence depends on their resisting sucb a proposition. There then only remains an increase of the property tax as the one available source of additional revenue This statement is, of course subject to the supposition that the present party are to remain in office. But even were there to be a change of Ministry, the difficulty would be removed by a land tax. To meet a declining revenue and the additional burdens arising from the borrowing of the two millions to be raised immediately, Government will require from £150,000 to £200,000 pera'nnam more than the amount of last year's revenue, unless there be retrenchment to that amount. Is there any reason for expecting retrenchment to that amount ? We have no doubt such a thing is possible, but is it at all likely ? The expense, it is said, of the Civil Service can be reduced. We are not in a position to know, but past experience on this head does not inspire us with the confidence that would allay alarm as to the financial position of the Colony. Any one with even half an eye in his head, if he would only be candid, would readily acknowledge that all our financial difficulties arise from the insane attempt to educate all children at the public expense. Already fully two millions sterling have been squandered on this folly, and it has been stated by a competent authority that £600,000 will be required next year to meet the demands of the Education Department. And the fact is that in reality the Colony has been borrowing money during the last five years to enable it to give a free education to children whose parents, for the most part, were well able to pay for their education. It will be thought that we write this because we are opposed to the present system of education ; and we are persuaded that any disclaimer on our part, that we are thus actuated, would be absolutely futile. But we do not write as we do through our dislike of the present school system. Our only object at present is to discuss the alarming financial" position of the Colony dispassionately. Two things are manifest ; there is great depression at present throughout the Colony ; and, secondly, a need has arisen for additional taxation, unless economy on a large scale can be practised. This is no time for additional taxation, and it may be doubted whether such economy can be practised in the Civil Service Department as will sufficiently relieve the present pressure. It only remains, then, to cut down the education vote by the sum of three hundred thousand pounds. And this can be done without impairing in the least the efficiency of such an educational system as would be suitable to the circumstances of the country. Absolutely free education should not be provided except for such as cannot pay anything towards the expense of their education. Considering the obligation imposed on parents by the natural and Christian laws, this is a proposition so evident, that no man in his senses would think of denying it. It is also manifestly unjust to impose an almost intolerable burden of taxation on every one in the community in order to give free education to the children of a section of the people, who are

for the most part very well able to discharge their natural and Christian duties, and pay the sums necessary to enable them to do so. About two hundred thousand pounds per annum would be amply sufficient to enable Government to do in reference to education what it can be legitimately called upon to do. And were our Legislature to turn its attention to devise a rational system of national education, it would soon be ascertained bhat ample provision could, be made for the education of the entire people, whilst the public revenue could be relieved to the extent, at least, of £300,000 annually. Such a saving as this would put our finance on a stable footing, and protect industry from intolerable burdens — intolerable because unnecessary and injurious. But who is to propose such a bold measure ? This is the question of questions . The man to do it is not at present before the public. Place has too great an attraction for all known politicians to permit them to endanger it even for a season by doing a thing so rational and necessary. And yet we dare to affirm that what we suggest is so reasonable and wise, that were a prominent politician to do it, he would, in a short time, find himself at the head of a powerful following.