The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-06-26
T H +
THE LEGISLATURE.

Comparatively little progress was made
with the estimates yesterday in the
Legislative Assembly, although the com
mittee manifested every disposition to
carry out the economic spirit OF the
Royal message. The amended esti-
mates were under consideration. 1t is
probable that by the beginning OF next
week the House will settle down earn
estly to business. 1t is full time that
this were done, as the session is well ad-
vlnced and there is great deal OF i'm
portant legislation to be considered be-
fore the Propagation.
The Committee on Tax Bills presented
a majority report covering bill drafted
by it. The minority has not yet re-
ported The Hon. Mr.. Bishop said he
considered the action OF the majority
discOurteOus TO the other members OF
the committee, who had not only not
been asked to sign the report, but had
not seen ii before its presentation. Mr..
Hayselden replied that there were points
upon which the minority could not
important that the bill should be acted
upon before July LIST, it had been deemed
expedient to report the measure without
delay. Politeness was thus sacrificed to
convenience.
And this raises the point whether an
attempt is not being made to prevent
action on the tax bill until it is too late
to become operative in the coming
assessment, by holding back the minor
ity report If this was not explicitly
stated yesterday it was broadly limited,
and the Assembly ordered the majority
report to be laid on the table TO be con-
sidered with the minority report, which
If was understood should be presented
to-day. If not so presented, the bill re-
ported by the majority of the committee
should be taken up and acted ON forth
with.
In Yesterdays ADVERTISER we gave
reasons why the tax law should be radl-
caIIv changed in the interest OF the
poorer taxpayers, and upon equitable
considerations. If the bill reported to
the House by Mr.. Hayselden is OF a
satisfactory character in this particular,
it should be passed through all Its stages
without delay. We have not yet seer
it. and therefore cannot speak from per
sonal knowledge, but we have reason t.
believe that it is a fair and equitable
measure. OF course this is precisely
q what the tax-shirkers do not wish it to be
Having evaded taxation for SO many years
on the bulk of their accumulations
in various forms, they DO not welcome d
change in the law which would place
them upon an equality with less favored
individuals. 1t should be the duty o
the Assembly. however, to see that this
ia done. The larger the estate, and the
greater the accumulation of riches, thu
weightier becomes the obligation OF it:
possessor to the State for its protection
and there is no act of dishonesty which
carries with it the element of meannesS
SO clearly marked, as the deliberate eva
sion of taxes by men of wealth and prop
ertv. Such men are to be found in thl'
Kingdom as in other countries, and the
Legislature should take care that oppor-
t1nities for evasion shall not exist, ST
that the Treasury may be replenlshed
and the country have money enough
with which to carry on the Government
and originate public improvements with
ont going into debt.