The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-04-26

conduct the government during the above term
these figures may serve 10 correctly indicate what
revenue Is necessary at the present time to sup
port the government on its present basis. Ia
round numbers, the government requires 1888
900 per annum. No decrease that We are
aware Of has been anticipated under the New
Code regulations, except in the revenue from
ardent spirit. in which Z falling off is antici-
lated Of atou, S20, 900. This, however, will be
more t':.n yvrrlalanced by the gain from other
s'ure-s. In the bureau Of internal taxation, u
shown by the tables recently published, there Is
a gain OF $4,000 over the income of that bureau
Tor the previous year, this gain being attributa-
bic mostly to the new property tax. Add TO this
the anticipated increase in STAMPS and other Gus
toms fees, probably not less than So 900 per an
mum, and the increase in store licenses Of at least
5000, and we have a total gain of over $40
600 10 supply a deficiency in the revenue on spir-
its of about $50, 600. The increase in our pub
lie revenue may therefore be safely assumed to be
At least $4,000 per annum, and perhaps even
more. without reference to any changes in the
tariff. This will be made more apparent when
the reports are presented 10 the Legislature, which
meets in May, and We should not be surprised to
see a still larger gain in the revenue.
One Of the principal arguments advanced by
the Ministry in favor Of the high tariff was that
it was necessary to supply the deficiency in our
revenue, created by the reduction of the duty on
liquors. That deficiency. as we have just shown,
and as the report Of the Minister of Finance will
unquestionably corroborate, i more than made
good by the tax law, and any further in
crease in our duties on foreign merchandise is not
.nlr- - ,,,,lt r-.,. l,.;..-.-I =
our commerce, by checking importations, driving
our shipping, and c~rippling trade gener-
ally, and thus may defeat the very end which is
sought to be gained-an increase of revenue.
The published tables show the amount Of goods
imported in 1859 to have been 81 ,555, 5SS, and
As our exports (including domestic prOduce fur
nished 10 whalers) amounted 10 only 1891 800,
ii is safe 10 assume that the difference between
the amount imported and shat exported, (say
5000, U00) is what is imported for the benefit. in
one way or another, of our shipping, and of this
sum we maintained, in our last issue, THAI not
far from 800 900 was required by our whaling
fleet in 1859. If we are correct in the theory
that 5000, 600 was imported in 1859 solely to
supply our shipping, then it is as plain as any
proposition in Euclid, that under the new ten per
cent. tariff, such shipping must pay Il tax to gov
eminent, indirectly, in the way Of duties, of
500 900 instead of $50, 900 as ut present, pro-
rided they continue 10 come here as before.
Now, what is to be the result of this financial
scheme, which the Ministers have set on foot with
such n flourish of trumpets? Those who have
looked at it most thoroughly, think it will have
and immediate results, some of which
may be stated
LIST To dapreasa rho - u1,unt Of eyary HaSprip-
Of imported merchandise.
2d.-As a necessary consequence of the fore
going. to reduce the number of merchant vessels
coming here.
80 drive away the whaling fleet to ports
where they can obtain their supplies with less
cost.
4th.-To create a general stagnation in trade
lmong foreigners; to create poverty among the
natives by reducing the demand for domestic pro-
caused by a falling off in the shipping and
o create d" hard times" from one end Of the isl
.nds to the other.
If this theory is correct, and all experience goes
0 support it, our high tariff scheme very much
esembles the plan which the old widow adopted
her hen. that lay the golden egg every day,
nd if we are not mistaken, will produce 4 some
that similar result. Such, at least, is the firm
of by far the larger portion of our
and of nine-tenths of the foreign com
lunity Of the kingdom. The decrease in the
mount of imported goods now paying five Per
will be Immediately felt, and we feel safe in
redicting that the sum total of such goods i'm
orted during 1861 (the first year of the opera
ion of the new tariff will be reduced at least
ne-fOurth, and that the total revenue from Gus
for 1851 will not much exceed that of 1859,
lille its operation will have resulted in reducing
r driving away both our merchant and whaling
larine, and consequently injuring our domestic
nd foreign commerce. If such result follows, it
not be simply temporary, but permanent.
Were we DESTROYS of seeing our country and
Ut government injured, We should sit quietly by
nd watch the Development of this suicidal pol
which the present Ministry are solely
,sponsible. The Chamber of Commerce, COM
rising the most Intelligent of our merchants,
ave already demonstrated lin 1859 against the
usage of a high tariff in the following language:
ResoIred, That it is the opinion Of this Chamber. that situa-
jectionabIe method II raising the revenue; that on the contrary
it ~ere possible to make Honolulu a Tree port, it would be Of
policy Of the government to endeavor to increase the
venue by raising the duties, it is the opinion Of this Chamber,
a tanh might b = constructed "hichw Womb De much less is
vaniageous 70 the general prosperity than the one now pro-
whist II uiEUL nc more u4~i-Ari WIN At IFluiif- r.
nmenIel 10y the Minister Of Finance IN 1854, by increasing
duties on luNuri-s and discriminating in favor Of the ncces-
H-s 81 life. Al the same time ;hs Chamber does not believe
any increase Of revenue would ultimately accrue from a
IN tariff.
Here we have the deliberate, well-considered
Union of the merchants of Honolulu as a body,
at they do not believe > that any increase Of
renle 1rould ultimately accrue from a high tariff" {
1t how were they answered on the part of the {
eminent 1t was in the discussion of this c
tariff that our " Chancellor of the Ex- 6
equer,' as he avowed mouthpiece of the G
inistry, delivered himself Of the following l
ughty threat, which good care was taken to '
We published in the official Gazette the publ :
ton of which has more than immortalized his
me