The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-04-26
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. APRIL 81.

The ruling principle on which every govern
ment should be conducted is-the greatest good
of the greatest number. Whatever laws are en-
acted, whatever changes made in the fiscal OF
social regulations of any State or government,
this ought to be the paramount aim-the adj
vanced prosperity of the body polite. and the
ameliOration of the condition of each member of
it. No one will dispute that q law imposing a
tax Of fire per cent. on the real and personal pro-
perty of the natives of this kingdom, or an i'm
post tax of thirty to 0ly per cent. on foreign
goods, would, either of them, prove q shock to
the prosperity of the country, and its enactment
would be unc.lled-for, and in a degree tyrannical
and unjust In older countries, where a plethora
of capital exists, and where a barrier to importa-
tons tends only to develope the internal resources
of the State, such changes might have no such
effect, and may even be found to result in the
general prosperity of the people. But not so
with the Hawaiian, where poverty is the rule,
and competence or capitalists the exception. To
attempt excessive taxation here, will only result
in retarding the general prosperity, albeit the
same thing might be done in older countries with
out such results.
The fact that in San Francisco property PAYS
tax of 81 So ON every 800 constitutes no argu-
th why TIC Saihht Il III operate IdhOidpiJ
here. As a general rule, the profits on both real
and personal property there are vastly greater
than here. Every hundred dollars at interest
there, or invested in real property, pays generally
an income of SI2 to so. With us the case is
very different. The greater portion Of the king
dom lies an uncultivated waste, for want of cap
ital, and the real estate Of the islands, which has
been assessed at 50, j15 900, can hardly be esti-
mated to yield over three per cent. on its valua-
ton. If then our islands are poor, compared
with other countries, our taxes should be equally
light.
Whatever revenue may be necessary for the
proper administration of the government, must
be provided for in some way and in all whole
some laws every loyal subject is bound t, acqui-
esce. If, however, by the application Of any
law, one branch of the national prosperity is
shown to suffer, TO the detriment of the whole
country, that law should be modified or annulled,
and the irregularity created by it removed.
Such, we maintain, will be the case in regard to
the new tariff of ten per cent, which is TO lie en-
forced in about two months. We hold that the
change of the tariff from fire TO ten per cent. is
unnecessary and unwise, and Will only result in
deranging and destroying, in part 1T least, our
foreign commerce. We advance, then, the fol-
lowing propositions as the basis on which this
government ought to be conducted
I-Frss Trade in foreign merchandise, so Ear as
the same i practicable.
ing interests.
IA reduction Of the present store and coasting
license to a nominal fgure, perhaps $40 each, and
the abolition Of Stamps.
4-DiT0c TdrGfiOH, as 3 prospective main reli-
ance for the support Of the government.
We by no means contend that an immediate
abrugation or change of the present revenue sys-
TEN is either practicable or desirable, but rather
that the general aim of all our legislation on
government revenues should tend to the develop
ment of such n policy as is stated above. The
immediate and total repeal Of our impost duties
would be- inlprdcfiodjIe and uHicise; but what we
for IL. that they should be kept as low
Is possible, So as not % fetter or disturb our
commerce with other countries. This Is what
we mean when We use the term Free Trade,
md not a total abolition Of all duties. The present
Of fire per cent. duty il not excessive, and
an be continued without detriment 70 either our
-oreign commerce or the internal prosperity of
he kingdom but the time may come when a re-
luctiOn of the rate may BE- deemed wise policy.
The position Of this nation Is peculiar stu
.ted as IL Is in the heart of the Pacific, poor in
.apital and internal resources, compared with
he surrounding nations, it is dependent to a
arge extent on its foreign commerce for its trade
nd support. Our peculiar position, therefore.
equires a peculiar policy, differing in ONE re-
poets from the stereotyPed notions of older ma
ions, and adapted TO our immediate wants. /.
Before inquiring into the necessity of an in
rease in the imPost duty, it will be well to state
he sources Of the revenue of the government.
The latest authentic statement Is the report of
he Minister of Finance TO the Legislature, March
Il, 1858, embracing the period of tlro years pre-
ious 20 that date. We give herewith the re-
eipts of the public treasury as there stated .
he cash on hand, April it, 1855, WAS e s2s,O95 81
nd tire receipts 20 NaEch 3lst, ISIS, (s ,
pr Table A. have been as foHoEs:
rom Bureau % Foreign Imposts. S23l.20l . :
rom Bureau % internal Commerce, o5+Il s. 4
rom BUREAU % Internal Taxation, l3lSO6 % =
rom Bur-au Of Government Press, l+.24S - G
rom Bureau OF Fines aud Penalties, 4O,5i5 50 e
rom Bureau Of Fees and P-rquisites, 2I.66s 20 q
RON Bureau Of GOvsrnt RssizatOns, 95675 ca =
Sources, 1890 - !
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