The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-10-21
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT
THE SINGLE TAX WEDGE IN BRIT
ia 'tsassa ISH COLUMBIA. 4


VANCOUVER, IL G., August al, 1881. -
The single tax cause in British Colum-
bia is by no means at a stand still, |
though seldom heard from; but on the
contrary.is becoming q strong factor
in shaping public opinion and influence
ing the provincial and municipal gov
ernments az if,si,
Indeed. during the present year our
cause may be said to have gained some
decided and signal Victories. both in
the legislature and in our various lnu.
inequalities,
= A year ago all the public lands at the
disposal of the provincial government
were withdrawn from sale. in conse-
quence of the strong pressure brought
to bear on the executive, resulting from
the agitation showing how the public
domain was being nionopolized by mere
spectators, thus checking the settle
ment and development of the country,
producing general stagnation and dull
times. The consequence was that ut
the last session of the provincial par.
lament, after a hard fight with the
.'moss-ba Backs" an amended land act was
passed with clause changing the wild
land tax from eight, cents per acre to
two per cent. ad valorem. As some OF
this wild land has become very valua-
bic, though unimproved, the difference
is no small one. The significant fact
about this is, that the tax is not on the
land rs formerly, but on its value, and
the recognition of this principle in tax
alton is the first step towards total
reversion of the land policy in this
province and probably throughout the
I Dominion.
An important amendment has also
been made to the presumption law. Be
fore this all that was needed to get a
deed for presumption of 100 acres was
to employ an agent generally, China
| men) to burn off few acres, and then
get two witnesses to swear in the ap-
plication that $50 worth of improve.
ments had been done on the claim. The
patent was then issued on payment of
one dollarper acre. Now, in addition
to the improvements" house must be
erected. and cultivation and residence
proved before patent is granted This
alteration has9effectaully put stop to
i spectators pre-empting land, selling
it, and then repeating the performance.
| An act was also passed authorizing
municipalities to levy tax on land
within their jurisdiction up to two and
q half per cent, and permitting the
taxing of improvements to be optional.
| Here: again is the thin edge of. the
single tax wedge that before long will
split and break up speculation in town
lots. the curse Of every city and village
on this coast. As result OF this enact.
ment. the municipalities OF Surrey and
Langley have already adopted the ex-
emption of Improvements from taxa
ton, and as these two districts are
chiefly agricultural, the farmers are to
be congratulated for their clear sight.
edness in taking the initiative in this
important u .arment, and for know
ing in which d.,vS sim their best inter
ests lie. It's only a question OF very
little time when the taxing of improve
ments anywhere. in, Brit sh Columbia
will be very much reduced or abolished
altogether
SO far as this city is concerned, the
influence OF pronounced single takers,
and the growing body of those who
dimly observe glimmcr of the "cat, y
is producing marked effect. A yeat
or two ago our bestistreets were cheer
fully given away for nothing to an cleo
trio street railway company. Just now
there is anotherrailway company build
ing a track-at the expense OF the prop
erty owners along the line-to connect
the cities Of New Westminster and Van
couver The company wished this city
to- grant thehl terminal facilities. :
This means three miles OF streets to be
opcneltnnd graded free, the company
i deciding on the route which offered il
the largest bonus The scheme of ,thi.
enterpr;sing corporation to capture {
valuable ,franch'se-as the possession
OF these streets in few years wo,ilt
undoubtedly bc-was promptly squelch
I'd by the city council An arrange
Z mcnt has now been concluded between
the city ard the company whereby thu
latter get their terminal facilities, bu
the city. retains full control OF th'
streets, with power to tax the compan.
j for their use, and the expense In open
ing and grading them. This agree
mcnt will be submitted to and voted OF
by the taxpayers next month, and nj
doubt will bc carried with little opposi
tion.
i "A. bylaw for the city to purchase tn
!, water works will be voted for at TIL
same time; and, as tie terms are advan
tageous to. the city, there are smal
fears of it, too, being passed.
The present Electric Light and Stree
Railway Co. has been approache
with a liview to the city buy
| ing it aout also; SO the prof
J. abilities are that before long Vancouvc
will own and operate its water works
electric light and street railway. Their
has been some hard and persisten
, fighting in the council to accomplis
, tnis much, and to our single tax friend
, there, headed by Alderman Brown, tn
= credit and konors are directly due.
i We have powerful friend and all
in our morning paper, the News-AdveI
= tiscr. It is on the peoples side in a
C municipal matters, and admits sing
a tax communications freely to its co
}. umns It's editor, Mr.. +. G. Cotton,
e our senior member to the local legisl;
j ture and has done excellent servit
o there in helping to frame and pass II
y | acts referred to- Altogether we fe'