Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-09-24
LAWS FOR THE PEOPLE,

sian colonies, and especially New
Zealand, are gradually Matchmaking
what in Canada or the United States
would be considered individual or cor
porate business utilities. Legislative
measures in Australia proper are not
quite so far advanced as in New Zea-
land. but all the Australian colonies
will speedily follow the example of
New Zealand.
New South Wales last year closed
its first successfully financial year I'M
der policy of free trade and a direct
land tax on unimproved values.
Usually, when Australian or New
Zealand legislation is referred to in
the Canadian or American press, it is
said to be soCialistic, anarchistic,
wild cat, experimental or trial legis-
lation, and the people look in vain for
explanations. A perusal of the fol-
lowing brief reference to some of the
measures will assist the reader in
coming to correct conclusion as to
whether the New Zealand laws are in
the interests of the whole people or
in the interest of few privileged in
dividuals.
|. The Land and Income Tax
Assessment Act in force in New Zea-
land imposes tax upon incomes and
an ordinary tax upon land and mort
cages, the amount of which is fixed
annually by rating act. There is
also an additional graduated tax upon
the unimprOved value of land held in
large blocks of from one-eighth penny
to two pence in the pound. Improve
ments pay no taxes. The income tax
is payable upon incomes derived from
employment and from business, in
Guiding investments other than those
in mortgages on Land, upon which the
ordinary land tax is levied An ex-
emption of G300 is allowed to every
person domiciled in New Zealand.
2. Advances are made by the gov
eminent to actual settlers; in fact,
any farmer May borrow on the
security of his farm and improve
ments ar amount ranging from cps to
$4,000 at per cent interest per an
mum, and repay the principal on very
easy terms On this account, exist
ing mortgages in favor of private
parties or corporate companies which
are bearing high rates of interest are
being paid off. 1t is believed that this
he -,
the artisan class may take advantage
OF it.
3. The schools are national and
free.
t. Over 100000 have already
been expended by the government of
New Zealand in establishing techni-
cal schools.
o. The government controls the
post-office and post-of3ce sarings
bank, and the postage between any
two points in New Zealand is Id. and
the deposits in the government saw
ings banks are always available when
required
6. The government controls and
operates the telegraph system in con-
nection with the postal service, and a
ten-word message costs only I'D.
I. The government controls and
operates the telephone system, and
the charges are about two-thirds the
usual Canadian or American charges,
and the profits go to the government
and consequently to the whole people.
:. The government gives state or
national life insurance. The pre-
MUM rates are lower than the aver
age rates charged by private COM
panies. Every policy holder feels
that he has the whole nation as
guarantee behind his risk.
y. The government is now perfect
ing plans in regard to national fire
insurance.
TO- The government has practi-
cally established a state or national
bank. South Australia was first to
move in the establishing of national
government bank, which is managed
IN the interests of the people. There
Is no object in the government fore
ing citizens into bankruptcy in time
of depression.
ii. The government controls and
Is responsible for the administration
OF all estates, for which service a
very nominal fee Is charged, and the
widows and orphans are protected
from legal troubles.
L. The government charges a
graduated succession tax of from , to
~ per cent, according to the value of
the estate.