The World To-morrow. One of the finest Single Tax addresses ever given in Australia was delivered in the Melbourne Town Hall, March 12th, under the auspices of the Imperial Federation League in Victoria, by Colonel George W. Bell, the United States Consul-General at Sydney. It was entitled, "The World Tomorrow; or, Great Federal Ideals." In the characteristic Single Tax method, the lecturer first stated the problem, asking how it was that where wealth was the greatest there misery and want most abounded. In glow product of labour exercised upon natural opportunities, and denounced the inclusion of land values as wealth. As population comes, land values come. They are the production of the community as a whole. When it departs land values depart. The production of wealth on a huge scale could only be carried on by the concentration of wealth-producers in given centres. But this necessary concentration had given a few men the opportunity to make large fortunes. Dramatically striding across the platform the speaker exclaimed, "There are always men who get ahead of the procession, these buy the land, and become rich upon the the whole world that would not produce something better than any other spot. The consequence was we had district after district teeming with wealth, more than it could consume. "But," said the speaker, and he twice uttered the sentence," show me a spot where there is relatively over-production of an article of wealth and I will show you another where they will gladly take that article, giving you their own excess in exchange." Australia produced the best wool in the world, and America needed half of it. America could use all the wood blocks Australia could produce in 50 years, to pave her BRITISH VOTER: "Oh, it won't do, my lord! You can't any longer divert me from the real question of the day-whether these United Kingdoms are your private property, or whether they belong to the British people?" ing words he showed that never before in this world's history had man been able to create wealth with such facility as now. "God had given us the raw material of this globe, had given us the genius to snatch open the doors of the teasure house of nature and win from the bounties of God the things necessary for the satisfaction of our desires. Yet a thousand toil without enjoying that one may enjoy without toiling." Machinery which came to save labour was looked upon by many as a curse, "as those who toil must work as unremittingly for bread as ever before, while many are denied bread even for work." The colonel then defined the term "wealth" as the people's desires or necessities to use the land. Not all the inventions on the face of the globe had saved the toil of the working man one particle, because somebody else had always seized the opportunity to use the increased force of production." Thus it was that these overcrowded cities, which were the greatest evidence of our progress, led to the making of a few great fortunes which the masses had no share in. The lecturer then turned his attention to the distribution of wealth, showing that overproduction was, relatively speaking, a most natural condition of things. God had so created the world that there was no spot on streets, and America had just as much of her wealth to give Australia. The checking and smothering of exchange created all the idleness in the world. The ideal federation would be to bring the Anglo-Saxon family into a commercial union and proclaim to the world a proposal of universal peace. This would lead to a fairer distribution of the profits of toil, to the abolition of strikes and socialism, of anarchy, of poverty, of sedition, and of the savagery of war. This would lead to a higher liberty, a broader intellectuality, and eventuate in the correction of our faulty land laws and our faulty money system, and inaugurate SMOKE PHOENIX AROMATIC TOBACCO. 8 new era for the peaceful progress of humanity. Before Colonel Bell had advanced very far in his address the startled look on the face of some of our magnates became painful to contemplate. It was evident a great mistake had been made. That the lecturer felt the chill was evident, for after stating that while not believing in equal ability he emphatically believed in the absolute right of every child born into this world to have equal access to natural opportunities, he abruptly added, "I can't help saying this; I'm built that way." Despite the frowns of the Conservatives when the land question was dealt with, and the uneasiness of the Protectionists when their fallacies were blown gky high, the foreign investors and the wealth carried by emigrants must be deducted, there must also be added to it the spendings of Victorian visitors and absentee landlords in England, and the wealth of returned emigrants, which amounts the "Age' conveniently forgot. These will swallow up more than treble the deduction of £10,000,000, and on its own basis, therefore, the liabilities of the colony stand at about £200,000,000. Now for our assets. How does the "Age" arrive at the alleged fact that other colonies owe £130,000,000 to Victoria? The plan is delightfully simple. Between 1888 and 1892 we have imported from other colonies in excess of our exports an average of £4.000,000 Age a year. These, the " assumes, are As a matter of fact, however, the balance of our intercolonial trade teaches nothing either way. For our imports from other colonies, especially from New South Wales, largely consist of wool, grain, and gold, which merely pass through Melbourne for shipment abroad. We have no proprietary rights in them; they neither represent profits nor debts. The fact that for five years our imports ex. ceeded our exports in the intercolonial trade by £4,000,000 a year no more proves that this is interest due to us, as the "Age" assumes, than the fact that a carrier delivered £1000 of wool at the railway station for which he never paid, would prove that he owned this wool as well as the station on which it grew. It is absolutely impossible to say what the Victorian investments in other reception of the address was magnificent. profits. Therefore, capitalise these at 5 per colonies amount to. No material is avail. and once again was testimony borne that there is a latent Single Tax force in Melbourne which our politicians are unaware of, and may at any moment have to reckon with to their own cost. Golden Victoria. The "Age" has suddenly woke up to the fact that the prevailing impression of the enormous indebtedness incurred by the colony during the rule of "Lord Protection" is calculated to seriously impair the prestige of that very earthy divinity, and, therefore, has undertaken the task to wipe this im. pression out of existence. As it never does anything by halves, therein differing greatly from its competitor, it makes out that instead of being a tribute-paying nation, this colony is actually receiving tribute on a balance in its favour. The way in which this feat is achieved is as remarkable as it is instructive as to "Age" methods generally. Let us give the calculations first: Total outside assets .. £130,000,000 Balance in favour of Victoria.. £11,000,000 This, of course, looks very well, and, if true, would be a good thing for the colony. Unfortunately it is not true; in fact, nearly every item in the account is a delusion. We have to pay not only for imported goods, but freight on the same as well. The latter has to be added to the value of imports. On goods liable to ad valorem duty this is done by the Customs to the extent of 10 per cent. On all other goods nothing is added. As the average of freight and expenses is much more than 10 per cent. on the value of goods, an addition of at least 9 per cent. has to made to all our imports before exports are deducted. This brings up our borrowings to about £120,000,000, and the accrued interest thereon at 5 per cent. to at least £60,000,000. Granted that from this amount of £180,000,000, the losses of cent., and it follows that other colonies owe us a capital sum of £80,000,000; and it further assumes, without saying why, that unpaid interest to the amount of £50,000,000 has accrued on these assumed investments. This is the fairy-tale of the "Age." Let us examine it. There are here two assumptions. The first is that the excess of imports over exports in our intercolonial trade is interest on our intercolonial investments, and that capitalised it shows the value of these in. vestments; secondly, that there are investments amounting to £50,000,000 in excess of such capitalisation. No attempt is made to give the slightest reason for this latter assumption, and it obviously contradicts the former, i.e, that the capitalisation of excess imports measures our intercolonial investments. If either of these assumptions is true, the other cannot be true. We may, therefore, dismiss these £50,000,000 accumulated interest at once, not, however, without admiration for the vivid imagination of their creator. This leaves us to deal with the statement that other colonies owe us £80,000,000, because, during the last five years, we have imported £4,000,000 a year more from them than we exported to them. What ground is there for the assumption that this excess of imports is all profit? Is it not possible that the bulk of it represents repayments? If not, why not? That it is all profits, is the barest, and as we shall presently show, the most ludicrous assumption. Therefore it is equally a wild assumption to say that the other colonies owe Victoria £80,000,000, leave alone £130,000,000. Moreover, the excess of imports from other colonies is included in the total excess of our imports over exports, which the "Age" counts as a debt. Therefore the same item is treated once as a debt and again as an asset, which trick the "Age must have learned from some of our defunct landboom institutions. Further, if our debt to England is measured mainly by the excess of our imports over exports, the excess of our exports over imports in the intercolonial trade ought to be the main measure of the sums owing to us by other colonies. If our exports to them never have exceeded our imports from them, then, according to the " Age's" own principles, they cannot owe us anything. Well, they never have; on the contrary, as far back as the records go, i e., 1858, there has nearly always been a balance against us in the intercolonial trade. Consequently, according to the " Age's" own method of calculation, we are indebted to the other colonies, and have nothing to set off against our foreign indebtedness. able, but he would be a rash person who estimated the whole value of them at the present moment at £50,000,000. Even so, however, the balance of the indebtedness of this colony would be somewhere about £150,000,000 to the bad instead of £11,000,000 to the good. Altogether, the "Age" discovery and its exposition is a performance about as ludicrously amateurish as has ever been undertaken by a serious journal. However, let us be charitable. The Age" is at its wits' ends to preserve some air of respectability for "Lord Protection," and much may therefore be pardoned it. The Barbarism of Pro- Note the one great error upon which all Protection is built-Scarcity and dearness mean wealth; abundance and cheapness mean poverty, When you must work two weeks to buy a suit of clothes, you are much better off than if you could earn the same suit in one. Start fairly with the plain republican (Protectionist) version: If China or any other country can sell us goods for next to nothing, it would be suicidal for us to buy them; therefore, if all the articles we now manufacture grew rank on trees, it would be wise to kill off those trees, and to continue the laborious process of manufacture! Since machinery has woefully cheapened the necessities and luxuries of life, destroy and forbid the future manufacture of every species of labour-saving machinery! The Protectionist contends that as soon as China catches up with modern civilisation the western world is doomed. "We talk of overproduction now; what will it be with China a great producer instead of a great market?" Here it is ingenuously intimated that China has year after year bought our manu. factured goods and paid for them with money that fell from heaven, or appeared in some other unnatural way. Is it not plain that no as nation can be a market that is not first a producer, and that its capacity as a market always must be determined by its capacity as producer, since no nation can buy more than it has goods (money) to pay for ?— · Puck" (U.S.). 66 Thus a U.S. senator and boodler:-" 1 always advise my friends to plant their savings in realty near a growing town. There is no such savings bank anywhere. Purchase a good-sized tract, carry it in all its unprofit ableness and wait for the sure and certain returns of the growth of this wonderful country of ours to make you the master of your own fortunes." " 'DON" & PHOENIX DARK TOBACCOES. What is It P THE INFLUENCE THAT SOMETIMES GUIDES US Farmers! Wool and Wheat Mar. 17. Sun. Mr. Houston Growers! lectured on the Yarra Bank on "The Siege of Limerick and the Battle of Fontenoy." lectured at the Mar. 18, Mon. Mr. Houston Richmond Congregational Church, Len. Council meeting of the Free Trade Thur. Mr. Max Hirsch lectured at In these days of depression and low prices your only hope of industrial redemption is involved in the satisfactory sale of your produce. It is generally admitted that the present position of the producer is critical, and, therefore, his only true friend is he who Mar. 22. advocates the obvious truth, that as values This is the fall, so must charges also fall. axiom of to-day. Pastoral and agricultural Mar. 24. Sun. Mr. W. W. Lyght, in the Single We have con. producers will find that they can deal most advantageously with us. sistently and persistently fought for and guarded the interests of the producer and owe our success to the general recognition of this fact. By our endeavours railway freights on wool have been reduced twenty per cent. We sell wheat, wool, general We make liberal advances on produce, &c. consignments, and render promptest account sales. Write to us on any subjects affecting your interests. The National Wool Company Ltd., Collins-street, Melbourne. "No, I do not believe in ghosts," said an old lady of great experience, "but I do believe in the ministration of spirits." This is not the age nor the country in which the supernatural flourishes. Interest centres about the practical. Haunted houses are rented without great difficulty, if the land. lord is willing to knock off a portion of the rent. There are many, however, who will admit the exertion at times of some peculiar influence swaying our actions. We are led to do things we should not do of our own volition-the wisdom of which we do not appreciate until afterwards; then we wonder how we came to do them. We are forced to learn that worldly wisdom is not always that which always guides into the wisest courses. In this practical age results are what people are looking after. They believe in what they see; "the evidence of things not seen" is to be weighed in the future. When a man is sick he wants to get well; he cares little what medical method is employed if it cures. But if it does not cure he soon begins to doubt the skill of the physician, and enquire into his methods of medication. A happy thing it is sometimes if some influence in. duces investigation before it is too late. Mr. E. W. Edmondson, of Melbourne, writes, 21st October, 1890:-" During the past 16 years I have been ailing periodically from a serious affection of the kidneys, and in later years my complaint became more acute, so that I was frequently seized with stabbing pains in the back. I had often prolonged headaches, the result of liver disorder. For years I thus suffered, and I thought this disorder of the kidneys and liver would bring about a more serious disease. Finally I tried the effects of Warner's safe cure, and not until then did I experience any amelioration in my condition. The use of this medicine speedily wrought a great change, and four bottles effected a complete cure." Note what Mr. Henry Warwick, of Lonsdalestreet, Melbourne, says:-"30th October, 1890-For some years I have been suffering from frequent attacks of gravel, often with unbearable pains in the back and right side, and my digestive organs were also out of order. In addition I was afflicted with congestion of the liver and periodical headaches of a severe nature. My suffering was quickly removed when resorting to Warner's safe Mar. 6. cure, of which I took four bottles, when the acute pains in the right side, caused by the congestion of the liver, ceased, while my kidneys were restored to healthy action." The very successful fruit social held at the Albert Hall, Adelaide, on February 22nd, should cheer the Women's Land Reform League and encourage them to future efforts. The committee have decided to subscribe for a number of the Beacon. The enthusiastic hon. secretary, Miss E. Williams, gave a most encouraging report of the year's work, The and spoke hopefully of the future. audience was large and enthusiastic, and the speeches lively and entertaining. Tax Propaganda Van, was accorded a reception on the Yarra Bank, and gave an address on "The Single Tax Among the Farmers." Messrs. Fleming, M'Grath, Upstill, and Cooper subsequently addressed the meeting. Mr. Tom Tunnecliffe gave an address before the Free Discussion Society on "My Difficulties with the Single Tax." Messrs. Cooper, Upstill, Martin, Watt, and others replied. Mar. 25. Mon. Monthly Committee meeting of The Single Tax League of Victoria. President, Mr. Max Hirsch, gave a lecturette on "Interest and the Law of Interest." In the subsequent discussion Messrs. Upstill, Cooper, Renwick, and others took part. Mar. 28. Thurs. Mr. Max Hirsch lectured Mr. Houston lectured before St. Anselm's Max Hirsch addressed a meeting, under the auspices of the Free Trade Demo. cratic Association, at Ballarat, "Free Trade and Land Value Taxation." Open-air addresses have been given at South Melbourne, South Yarra, Fitzroy, Collingwood, and on the Yarra Bank, the speakers being Messrs. Cooper, Waugh, Fleming, Upstill, Hirst, M-Grath, Levey, and Renwick. During March the Single Tax Propaganda Van has visited Bannockburn, Geelong, Lara, Werribee, and Melbourne. It would be infinitely wiser of the trades unions if they devoted their attention to the study of political economy, rather than endeavouring by strikes to maintain a high Mar. 29. Fri. Messrs. W. H. Irvine, M.L.A., and rate of wages and processioning in honour of eight hours' day. Every branch should be turned into a day-school for the unemployed and a night-school for those in work, such ""Proworks as Mills' "Political Economy," gress and Poverty," "The Story of my ""Protection or Free Trade,' Dictatorship," and "The Fiscal Superstition" being studied from cover to cover. In twelve months' time from now 90 per cent. of the present members of Parliament would not dare to face a meeting of workingmen. The platitudes, mis-statements, fallacies, blunders, and clotted nonsense which are the stock-in-trade of our average politicians, and which now receive the rapturous plaudits of enthusiastic gatheringe, would shrivel into nothingness before the withering analysis of educated A new day would have dawned, audiences. and the monopolistic and privileged classes would see rising around them an army-its motto, SUBSCRIPTIONS TO S. T. LEAGUE RECEIVED DURING THE MONTH: F.A.L., 1s.; A.H.N., 5s.; W.C., 1s.; A.D., 28.; G.S., 63.; S.H.G., 2s. 6d: T.F.H., 3s.; A.C.N., 2s. 6d; T.B, 5.s; S., 28.; T.U, 1s.; T.C., 1s.; W.H.R., 1s. W. H. RENWICK, HON. TREAS. March 26th, 1895. Mr. W. H. Renwick, the Treasurer of the Single Tax League of Victoria, 349 Collins-street, will be ganda work glad to receive donations to the funds for propa DATE. Fixtures for April. "To the producer, the produce"; its Apl. 2. Tues. Council meeting of the Free Trade Democratic Association, at the Rooms, twin guiding-stars, "Justice and freedom." 349 Collins-street. Meetings held in March. DATE. Mon. Mr. J. E. Edmondson lectured Mr. J. F. Hassett gave a paper on Mar. 8. Fri. Mr. Max Hirsch lectured at Alex- Mr. J. J. Lannigan lectured before the Mar. 10. Sun. Mr. J. W. Fleming opened a debate Mar. 11. Mon. Mr. Theo. A. Waugh lectured on the Apt. 3. Wed. Mr. Max Hirsch will lecture at Fri. Do. do. at Tatura on "Land Value Apl. 5. Apl. 9. Apl. 10. Tues. Do. do. at Kyabram on "Free Apl. 24. Do. do at Rochester on "Free Trade and Land Value Taxation." Fri. Do. do. at Elmore on "Free Trade and Land Value Taxation." Mon. Monthly Committee meeting of the Single Tax League of Victoria. conclusion of the business, Mr. Hassett will deliver a lecturette on "The Fiscal Superstition." At the Wed. Mr. Max Hirsch will lecture at the Accountants and Clerks' Association, Temperance Buildings, Swanstonstreet, on " What are Politics?" Speakers willing to aid in the open air work are requested to write to Mr. Levey, at the Beacon office, 849 Collins-street. Mr. W. W. Lyght will, during April, make a flying trip through the Western and Wimmera districts. Any persons desirous of obtaining his services as a speaker on" Free Trade and Land Value Taxation," are requested to communicate with the Manager of the Beacon. PHOENIX CUT TOBACCO UNEQUALLED. "THE STORY OF MY DICTATORSHIP." One Shilling. Postage 3d. extra. Address: Manager, Beacon. DEWAR'S PERTH WHISKY The only Scotch Whisky drawn at the bars JAMES SERVICE & CO., Wholesale Agents for Victoria, The Single Tax League of Victoria. HON. SECRETARY, A. C. NICHOLS, MANNINGTREE ROAD, HAWTHORN. OBJECTS:- To gradually abolish present taxes, and in their place raise all revenue by a tax on land values, exclusive of improvements, and regardless of use or non-use of the land, or whether situated in country or town. RHEUMATISM (Acute or Chronic), CHALKY GOUT, GOUT, RHEUMATIC FEVER PRICE, 5/- Per Bottle, or course of five bottles for £1 18. Carriage and Postage Extra. DEPOT : 15 VICTORIA SYDNEY, N.S.W. ARCADE, Entrance from Elizabeth Street. Near King Street and Castlereagh Street. PROFESSOR THULINIUS. GENERAL PRINTERS, Publishers, Lithographers, &c. PRINTERS OF Review of Reviews Chronicle 270 POST OFFICE PLACE, MELBOURNE. Telephone 524, SCANDINAVIAN successful result; but at last I determined to go through a course o treatment For the past ten years I have been a complete martyr to rheumatism in all Teacher of Elocution, and twenty-five years Actor and Manager. PHOENIX TOBACCO has no Rival for Flavour. With or without Grain Sowing or Grass Seeding (Broadcast) Attachments. Light, Strong, and Durable. Indispensable on Mallee land or for Summer fallow. Frames of Best Angle Steel, and Teeth Tempered in Oil. This Machine, although recently imported into the Colonies, has been in use for ten years in Canada, and has proved itself to be exceedingly useful and satisfactory. MASSEY-HARRIS CO. LTD., ches lively 522 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. PHONIX AROMATIC AND DARK TOBACCO. t Office Place by W. J. Rashleigh, for the Beacon Newspaper Co. Ltd., and Published for the Company by Frederic-T.-Hodgkiss, at their registered office, 849 Collins-street, Melbourne. |