[14] The proper means to prevent settlers from seizing upon more land
than they can put to good use, and taking up too wide an arrangement,
is not a high price upon fresh lands (which is merely to suck out
the life’s-blood of the colonist just as he is about to commence
the arduous combat), but a low land tax per acre, rated permanently
to three or more class qualities of soil. This is the only genuine
tax,--should be the only tax, and made available to the whole
government of the colony. Instead of repressing industry as other
taxes necessarily do (those on pernicious luxuries excepted), this tax
would even benefit the payer by stimulating him to improve his lands,
and thus render them of higher quality, while their class rating for
taxation remained unchanged.
[15] In conjunction with the Scots New Zealand Land Company, it is
intended to establish a New Zealand Whale Fishing Company, having a
domicile at one or more of the maritime stations of the Land Company,
at which the families of those engaged in the fishing will reside,
and where the oil will be prepared for export. This will be mutually
beneficial in a high degree. The fisheries will draw in a great
revenue to the colony for exported oil, and those engaged in them will
constitute the best of customers for the fine produce of the land. The
families and shore-establishment of the Whale Company will be sheltered
by the Land Company during the time their own strength may be absent
in the fishery; while, should any thing serious be apprehended to the
Land Company, the assistance of the daring and formidable crews of
harpooners, who will be absent only on short voyages, will soon be
forthcoming. They will indeed constitute a most formidable defensive
force; and, instead of being a great cost and population-check, a
consuming evil and source of decay, like the armies of Europe, they
will be the source of wealth, and population, and power.
PATRICK MATTHEW, _Chairman_.