Item 35 - Letter from C. H. Pearson to Henry Sidgwick

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Remarks on Sidgwick's 'complete ignorance of the political situation in Victoria', and endeavours to give him a history of events during the preceding two years 'with a preface as to the causes of trouble. Discusses the problems associated with land and land-holding and the involvement of land-jobbers, land-sharks, the banks, capitalists, the State and the general population in the issue. Refers to the various systems that had been put in place in order to solve the problem, including selling land by auction, 'free selection', the drawing by settlers for the right of choosing homesteads at low prices on large blocks of land surveyed by the State. These systems, having found to be unsuccessful, were replaced by another, equally flawed system, under which a 'selector' is bound to live on his land for seven years and to execute improvements of a certain value, and does not acquire a negotiable title until the end of the seven years. Mentions a systems that he has proposed, which involves making it 'unprofitable for the large owner to buy by applying the principle of [ ] duties to a land-tax and raising the tax in proportion to the area held.' In relation to the land-tax, states that it would be 'professional ruin for a doctor, clergyman, lawyer or schoolmaster to say that he was in favour if [it]', but that he felt safe voicing his support of it because of his contract, of which there were three years left. The principal of his school however claimed that he would be ruined because the boarders consisted mostly of daughters of squatters, who would be withdrawn on account of Pearson's stance on land tax, so the latter agreed to release the principal from their 'covenant'.

Declares that he 'failed for Parliament from entire ignorance of local politics, and because Government strained every nerve to defeat [him]', but his party was successful and offered to make him permanent Head of Education [Officer]. He declined this position, but accepted a commission to report on the educational system. Refers to this report, which he sends to Sidgwick 'by last Mail'. Announces that he is now waiting for a vacancy in parliament. Returning to the issue of tax, reports that Berry 'abandoned the progressive element in the Land Tax; and proposed on [ ] on the English Income Tax, but so clumsily constructed as to be very uneven.' Declares that the Conservatives 'are furious that a tax of any kind has been imposed on land' and that they passed a Land Tax, and threw out a bill for Payment of Members, 'expecting to deride the Liberal party on that issue, but this policy backfired on them and public opinion has hardened on the Liberal side. Refers to the dismissal of all the county court judges and police magistrates by the Liberal leaders - a move he deems to be 'foolish'. States, however, that the Liberals are stronger than they were, and that the next question at issue is in what way the Council is to be reformed. Pearson himself advocates a plebiscite: 'that a measure carried in two successive sessions of the Assembly shall become law unless the Council demands a plebiscite', which will give the Council 'the power of criticizing and suspending but not of stopping measures demanded by the popular voice.'

Announces that they have been on the verge of civil war, and have only escaped it through the habit of order and because the Conservatives 'were cowed by the sense of weakness.' Reports that the Governor and Berry 'have been repeatedly threatened with assassination', and that the Argus has announced that '"assassination is the sole defence of the weak."' Refers to the Liberal and Conservative Presses. Declares that they are waiting anxiously 'for news of peace or war from Europe.' Announces that hitherto he has been 'strongly against the Turks', but 'cannot wish Russia to triumph in a war against Great Britain, as such an [issue] would paralyse the liberal cause everywhere.' Does not believe in war, but does not like to think of Bosnia, Thessaly and [Rommelia] reverting to their old condition. Reports that public opinion in Australia has been on the whole Turkish, but that he helped to keep their chief Liberal organs, the Age and the Leader 'on the right side.' Promises to send some papers to Sidgwick, but does not think that the latter will care to see much of them; declares that a paper like the Nation is 'impossible'. Awaits the results of legislation on Oxford and Cambridge with great interest, and mentions that he may be in England 'before the controversy is over.' Is anxious to see old friends, and mentions that his wife's family is in London. Declares that he would be inclined to make some part of Europe his home again, if there were not work in Australia that he thinks he can help in doing.