The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-07-22
THE WORK OF THE SESSION.


The work Of the session is progressing
slowly, still some progress is being made
The most important bill before it is un-
questionably the Internal Tax bill, and
it should be disposed Of in committee
to-day, if possible. The first and sec
ond sections embody the principles OF
taxation Only one of these remains for
approval and it has been eXhaustiyely
debated already. Little more can be
said on the subject than has been pre-
scented, and therefore further debate can
only originate in a design to waste time
and kill the proposed law by delays
which would wear out the patience OF
the Legislature
The object OF the bill undoubtedly is
to increase the revenue by adjusting and
equalizing taxation, without adding to
the burdens Of the people. This is a
laudabIe object Mr. Castle said in
committee on the bill on Tuesday last
that he was prepared for increased tax
alton if necessary. The actual require
ments of the country show that this is
not necessary if all who possess property
paid their fair quota of taxation. Elk
perience proves that it is not always
safe to depend upon a high conscien-
tiousness on the part Of taxpayers, and
therefore the law should be 50 framed as
to prevent the evasion OF taxes to any
great extent. This obviously is the rea-
son why the dill was introduced, and it
is a sufficient reason for passing it. We
trust therefore that the majority will
not fail to do so.
The Appropriation bill stands next in
importance. 1t provides money for car
rying on the Government. Retrench-
ment has been recommended by His
Majesty the King, and reduced estimates
have been presented to the Assembly.
1t is impossible to say at present how
far a retrenchment policy has been add
hered to. This will best be understood
when the Appropriation bill is reported
back from the Committee of the Whole.
New votes have been added to con-
siderable amount, and of these it may
be said that hardly one of them is I'M
necessary. Indeed, much more might
be advantage0usiy done in the way OF
providing sale landings and wharves, in
building bridges, and opening and inn
proving roads But the want of money
stares the Administration and the Leg
islature in the face. Hence the necessi-
ty for enacting the Internal Tax bill,
and probably also some other revenue
producing measure. If this duty be neg
lected the Legislature may only blame
itself if the revenue falls short of the
requirements under the Appropriation
Act And here it may be pertinent to
remark that the session has advanced
50 far that it is not desirable to have
any further delays in the consideration
OF the Appropriation bill. The season
is advancing, and it is time the mem
bers of the Legislature were returning to
their homes to attend to their important
local duties.
Among other important bills before
the Legislature is one relating to the
registration Of shipping. This bill
should become law. 1t adopts the
American and English rule OF measure
ment for registration. 1t will make a
difference OF about forty per cent in IA
vor Of shipowners, and as it will apply
to coasters as well as TO ocean-going
steam and sailing vessels, the shipping
interests OF the country as whole Will
be benefited.
There are other bills of more or less
Importance before the House, but these
three appear TO us TO be absolutely nee
essary from a fiscal and economic stand
point Doubtless there Will be the usual
slaughter OF the innocents" ut the
finish, but we need not now anticipate
results.