The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-25 00:00:00

TEE NEW TAXATION IN INDIA.

The following exposition of the new taxes, for
the information of the natives, has been published
by authority :--

" From information which the Government have
received, it appears that much misapprehension
prevails among the people as to the nature of the
new taxes which are about to be imposed, espe-
cially the income tax ; and that many rumours
are flying about which have no foundation
in fact. The laws for carrying out these mea-
sures are under consideration of Government.
As soon as the, details are settled the fullest
information will be given to the people ; but
in the meantime, seeing that Government is
desirous that its loyal and faithful subjects should
know the exact reality of the new measures, and
should not be troubled with needless and groundless
apprehensions, it is ordered that the following brief
explanation be made known to all men :
"IL When in February last Mr. Wilson pro-
posed new measures before the Legislative Council
at Calcutta, he promised that three things should
be observed in arranging the taxes—namely,—
" 1. That the taxes shall fall justly and equally
on all classes according to their means, whether
European ornative, whether great or small, whether
servants of the State or not.
" 2. That the unavoidable trouble or inconveni-
ence to commerce, or industry, or consumption, or
production, shall be as small as possible.
" 3. That every endeavour shall be made to avoid
offending the religious views and rites of the natives
of India.

" 111. Now, these promises will be most care-
fully and scrupulously observed.
" IV. The tax upon incomes and profits will in
no case exceed 4 per cent. per annum, and even less
will be taken if less should prove sufficient.
" V. In the management of the tax the following
detailed points will be attended to :
" 1. The an angements will be made through the
collector or other revenue authority to whom the
people are accustomed, and with the collector will
be associated other officers of proper rank and ex-
perience, There will be no new machinery.

2d. Each man liable to the tax will render a
return of his own income. If he cannot state it ex-
actly,. he need not give any account ; it will suffice
that he give an approximate estimate.
"3. Any man who does not like to state his in
come to the tehseeldar, or other ministerial revenue
officer, May give in his returns under a sealed enve-
lope to the collector himself, oi• to some officer of
rank specially appointed for the purpose, and may
have his assessment made by such officer.
-" No man will be required to take an oath as to
the amount of his income or profits.
"5. The statements of income and assessment
will not be read in a public office, nor made public
in any way, but will be kept under seal, so that
secrecy may be preserved.
"6. The assessment of the tax will not be in-
trusted to ministerial officials, who may practise
corruption and vex the people • but the collector
and the English officers will tlemselves make an
estimate, after looking at the returns, according to
their judgment.
" 7. The books or accounts of people will not be
looked at, nor will balanoes be struck, nor will wit-
nesses be cal!ed, nor will questions be asked, nor
will any detailed inquiry be made, nor will any
affairs or transactions be exposed, nor will trouble
of this kind be given, provided that people commit
no fraud and behave fairly to the Government. It;
indeed, any man shall of his own free will make a
statement, or produce a book, or adduce evidence,
then the officer will attend to the same ; but other-
wise the production of such hooks or papers will
not be demanded.
"8. The collector or other Engltishhoffic.er;
according to his own opinion, and with the ;'nfor-
mation he possesses, fix each man's tax. If no ob-
jection be offered by the taxpayer,
no inquiry
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