The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-11-24
ADVANCED SOCIAL. CoND1T1oNs.
In New Zealand Have Given Gren,
Benefits to the PEOPLE, I


Writing from Wilmington, New Zea-
land, to the National Single Taxer. an
ex-member Of parliament presents the
following facts, which are of the great
est interest in connection with what
has already appeared in this paper re-
garding the advanced social conditions
in the faraway island.
Il have been often struck with the
wide differences of opinion prevailing
in your country as to the expediency
of state ownership of railways, postal
and telegraphic services, and other
public conveniences. the ownership of
which by individuals, essentially in
wolves monopoly. With us the sub
ject is not matter of for controversy,
as all such utilities are owned and con-
Quoted by the state, and the benefits
OF the system are SO many that there
is nothing less likely than the state
parting with them. Your readers will
readily appreciate this fact when they
learn that this year the government
mas made reductions in freights and
fares on our railways involving a loss
in revenue of $375,000 including the in
itiation of a system of cheap trains,
whereby urban workingnen are able
to have their homes in the country. On
and after the first Of January next our
postage rates for letters, both within
and beyond this country, will be re-
duced from twopence to one penny.
This will involve an initial loss m reve-
nue. of about 100000 per annum. But
in this case as in reference to the rail-
way reductions, increased business will
III due course recoup any deficiency
without imposing any other taxa
ton, the government has this year
been able to remit $500, 900 in customs
duties, notwithstanding the above
mentioned reductions in the railway
and postal revenue and the cost of dis
patching several contingents of volun-
teers to South Africa. This proves con-
clusively that the finances of the
colony have not been ruined, as OBJ
ponents predicted they would be. by
the adoption of the principle Of land
value taxation. or course, we still
raise great proportion Of our reve-
nue. from customs duties. But public
opinion is surely being awakened to the
injustice of the system, and, though it
is perhaps too optimistic to predict an
early increase in the land tax, it is GER
tain that that impost has come to
stay and will be gradually Increased.
The system of local option in rat
ing Grating is our term for local tax
ation) continues to grow in public fav-
or. indeed, so far only one instance has
occurred wherein the majority declared
against rating on unimpfoved values.
At the recent annual municipal confer
ence resolution was unanimously car
ried commencing the system, which, it
is probable, will be made compulsory
on all local bodies at an early date s
"Since 1898 we have had system OF
old-age pensions, whereby every. per-
son of S. years of age. Of reputable
character. and in receipt Of less than
s17o income annually, is granted +, a
pension of 800 yearly, The money. for
this purpose is provided out. of the
ordinary revenue. We have also sys-
tenn of compulsory arbitration. for the
adjustment Of Industrial disputes.
Courts are set up to try cases under:
this act, and both masters and work
men must abide the decision 81 a court
The result has been that since The act
came into operat ton about SIX ears,
Easo. here N.Y. eeI nq 4 81 and