The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1897-01-08
~ zEALANn.s 80


e = the eradustse Laad Tax and Rot the
Single Tax Which Il In Force IN New Zes-
land
a few evenings ago. at the meeting
OF club formed TO discuss economic
questions, I heard It earnestly reiter-
ated that the single tax, a Ia Henry
George, was in active operation in New
Zealand. And now / clip from the
Chicago Farmers' Voice an editorial
under the caption "Shail Land Be Con-
Rscatsd?" which sets up the same
claim. Says the Voice:
'Iu another place in this issue ap-
pears a letter from a New Jersey sub
seriber ia which the writer. while tax
ing occasion to refer 70 Henry George
as a dreamer" at the same time
urges that the government shall es-
tablish some sort of an industrial
movement in order that the people
may be employed, and to do this uss
the resources of the earth, such as the
coal mines, etc.
How could this be done save by
cOnhscstion? By what process should
the government become possessed Of
lands now held in fee by private cor
porations or individuals9
ST Mr.. Buell. will stop to work out
the problem, he viii see that there is
but one way to reach an equitable divi-
sion Of the proceeds of natures great
storehouse, whether it be OF coal or
gold, silver or salt-that is by a system
of taxation, which, while recognizing
the perfect right of the individual in
his sphere, requires that society, which
creates all increment not earned by
productive labor. shall also receive It's
share, thus causing the burdens Of gov
eminent to fall with almost exact
equality upon individuals in the ratio of
privileges enjoyed.
''The question is: What system Of
taxation will accomplish this ideal re-
suit? The single taxer declares his
plan will do So and it is a striking fact
that where the system has been tried,
as in New Zealand, the greatest pros
perity exists to-day.
"What Mr. Buell. suggests is state
socialism, pure and simple Commend
ing Mr.. Vests paper which expresses
utter adherence of cou6scation, he
suggests a plan which can be executed
only through con6scation. There is
but one way to study economies. that
is with an open mind, free from bias
or personal prejudice, and with will
ingness to accept another's conclusions
which are based upon good reasoning
and justice, even though it appear to
our own loss"
Now, as matter of fact, the "single"
tax is not in operation at all in New
Zealand, because there is a graduated
income tax in force in that country
which, ezemDting to every individual
and firm an income of $500 Isl, 500 III
creases in rate per cent in geometric-
al progression, as the income to be
taxed increases in amount This is a
factor, or feature, in and of system
which cannot be called the "sing1e
tax" system.
Ihave called attention to this mis-
apprehension several times in the past
and. three or four years ago, I pub.
lished the entire text of both the land
and income tax laws of New Zealand.
About FIVE years ago the general as
sembly Of New Zealand resorted to a
graduated tax for the suppression of
land monopolies. Reports brought to
this country show that the law is
working in most satisfactory manner.
The big land grabbers, both alien and
home, are generally disposIug of their
holdings and the tenant and holding
for a rise" system is becoming one of
the things of the past The following
are some of the vital provisions of the
land tax law of the progressive New
ZealandeFs, whereby it is seen that the
graduated tax is imposed as an addi-
ton to the ordinary tax on land,
Slightly more than four mills on the
dollar, and only affects large holdings
of the value of $500 or more.
The full text of the graduated tax pro-
vision is as follows:
SCHEDULE B-GRADUATED TAX on LAND.
In addition to the tax imposed upon all lands
under schedule A (O4 on 80, when thsassessed
value OF land after allowing for all improve
! ments thereupOu, IS OF the value mentioned in
the first column Of this schedule, and is less
than the amount mentioned in the second col
umn thereof, every person and company being
the owner Of such land shall be liable to a fur
thergFaduated annual tax at the rate men
toned in the third column Of this schedule.