The Property Tax

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 258, 9 February 1889, Page 2

The Property Tax

SIR H, ATKINSON AT AUCKLAND, Auckland, Thursday. Sir Henry Atkinson delivered aa address last night in defence of the property tax, A resolution was proposed condemning the property tax as oppressive, inexpedient, and impolitic, as it discouraged immigration and the investment of capital An amendment was carried by a large majority te ths effect that the tax should be repealed and a tai on land values eubetitutea. The Post elaborates a" nsw situation, as follows:—It Is, we think, vary donbtfnl whether the preunt Ministry will moot Parliament, We fully anticipate important changes in Its pertonnel either before or almost immediately after the session opens, and WS shall not be at all astonished to find the political flirtation which it is notorious has long been going on between Sir Harry Atkinson and Sir Robert Stout happily consummated by Ministerial union ore many months ere past. Sir Harry would gladly fold Sir Robert to his bosom if he could conveniently oust sosm of those who now usurp a position there. ■ Sir Sir Robert Stout re-enters Parliament shortly, as a rumour says is more|thau probable, it is almost certain, we think, that a reconstruotion not only of the Ministry but of tin Parliamentary parties will immediately ensue. The knights will join hands and ogenly assume the leadership of the ultra-protec-tionist side of the-House, with Mr BaUanoe probably as a first lieutenant. What' ths other present Ministers will do no one seems able to even conjecture, possibly no hu-ge amount of public sympathy will be extended to them if they are left out entirely In ■ tho cold. Many strange political alliances have been recorded in our political history, and ths alliance of Sir Harry Atkinson and Sir Robert Stout will but add one more to tho list. Events are certainly tending in that direction just at present.