The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-06-28
THE INTERNAL TAX BILL.

The Internal Tax bill which is before
the Legislature is very comprehensive
measure, and if it becomes law, and is
honestly administered, will largely in
crease the revenue. 1t aims at uniform
ity and equality in taxation, and al
though in some details it may require
amendment, we regard it on the whole
as an improvement on the existing law.
The definitions OF property for the pur-
poses of taxation are the essence OF the
bill. These are as follow:
The term real estate for the purposes
of this Act shall be deemed to mean and
include: l. The possession of, claim to,
ownership of, or right to the possession OF
land, whether covered by water, or not so
covered. 2. All quarrieS, all timber and
all rights and privileges pertaining thereto.
3. All mortgages, deeds of trust, contracts
and bonds whereby land is pledged Sc
curity for the payment and discharge of
debt or other obligation. 4. Improve
ments, which shall include all buildings,
structures. fixtures, fences, WharveS and
all other improvements erected upon or
affixed to the land. All fruit trees, nut
bearing trees, ornamental trees and vines.
The term personal property" for the
purposes of this Act shall be deemed to
mean and include all household furniture
and effects, jewelry, watches, goods, chat
tells, credits, dues, wares and merchan-
disc, machinery, all ships and vessels,
whether at home or abroad, all moneys in
hand, household and chattel interest in
lands and real estate, franchises, patents,
contracts, growing crops, public stock and
bonds. and all dOmesticated birds and ami
mails not hereinbefOre specifically taxed.
The Objectionable provision in the ex-
listing law, requiring the Assessor to con-
slider the sum of eight years annual
rental of leased property as the value
thereof for the purpose of taxation is
wanting in this BILL hence it follows
that something like the true value will
be reached by an honest assessment,
and not mere nominal sum, in many
cases deliberately planned for the pur-
pose of evading the payment of fair
taxes. This practice of legal evasion
has VIGOROUSLY become a great abuse
in the fiscal system of the Kingdom.
1t is not cur purpose to discuss the In
ternal Tax bill critically in this place.
We shall be prepared to deal with the
various points as they arise during its
progress through the Legislature; but
inasmuch as Mr.. Dole remarked that the
ADVERTISER was the only newspaper
calling for change in the tax law, We
deem it our duty to the public to define
our position. The ADVERTISER has no
class or individual interest to serve in
this matter. 1t seeks to have a perfectly
fair and equitable tax law passed, by
which property of every description
shall be honestly assessed and caused to
contribute towards the burdens of State
in exact proportion to its value. Under
the present law this is very far from
being the case. The burden of taxation
falls unequally through partial legisla-
ton This abuse should not be con-
tinued. We are not of those who would
discriminate in favor of rich or poor;
but inasmuch as rich people are abund-
antly able to take care of themselves, We
are of opinion that no loop-hOle should
be left by means of which Opulent and
influential taxpayers might be able
to shirk the payment of taxes upon the
fair value of their possessions. And
although it may be quite true that the
ADVERTISER is the only newspaper that !