Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 24

Chapter VII. Budget to 30th June, 1878, as it Ought to be. Based on the Figures Given by the Prime Minister

page 19

Chapter VII. Budget to 30th June, 1878, as it Ought to be. Based on the Figures Given by the Prime Minister.

Here the facts given by Major Atkinson are used to show how the legal and fiscal principles laid down in this essay on Government should be applied. The great essential differences between the two Budgets are—I make a Rail Tax on the rural lauds that have been already doubled in value by the rails; he lets them go free.

I allow the Road Boards their Land Fund, subject to one-third, to give subsidies to Boards and Boroughs that need assistance, and subject to one-third for bringing in farm labourers and girls.

I charge the Rail interest on the rails; he charges it on the poor labourer, on the trader, on anybody he can get hold of, except the right man, the property holder, that is brought to town by rails.

I charge personal property with the charities and education, and make it contribute. He has always, and still will, let estate go free.

My budget is a real surplus of half a million towards the deficit; his, if the truth be told, means loss of subsidies, Land Fund, and wages fund, and a further deficit, and ruinous taxes; no charity, no education fund, and, if he cannot get two millions, no New Zealand.

Choose you this day (not next year) whom you will serve—yourselves or the Foreign Bondholders.