The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-11-19

SUGGESTED BY A LAND HOLDER.
Increased Expense With a Stationary
Revenue--A Higher Tax Levy for
Two Years--The stability of Gov
ernment--A Merchants Views, Etc

Some complaints have been made
by individuals against what they
consider an exorbitant tax rate in
Hawaii, and the complaint is made
probably without giving the matter
any real consideration or compar-
ing the tax rate here with that of
localities in the United States.
Among some people the opinion
prevails that in order to meet the
expenses incurred during the jan
uary revolution, and again on ac-
count of suppression of cholera,
that a much higher rate will have
to be fixed this year.
"A prominent business man and
large holder of real estate remarked
to a reporter for the ADVERTISER
yesterday:
I am in favor of an increased
tax rate, say for the next two years,
in order that the Government may
be placed on a sounder financial
basis. [ do not mean that the
higher rate shall continue indefi-
nitely, because l do not consider it
necessary. Two years from this
time matters will be in a more set
tied condition and the expenses of
the Government will have been cut
down to a really normal figure, and
it will not require the same amount
of money to support it. 1t would
be very nice if we could have a
large surplus in the treasury, but l
do not think it advisable to burden
the people with taxation in order
to secure it.
"What do l mean by normal
figure? Why, considerably below
what it is now, and it will come
through a reduction in the expenses
of certain departments, and when
the expense of the entire Govern
ment is not larger than the revenue
the finances of the Government
will be in such shape that the
head of that department will not be
held responsible for the difficulty
that is experienced at times to
meet current expenses.
"But suppose at the end OF two
years the Government, through
your scheme for increasing the
taxes, is not more stable, what will
be your remedy then?"
"Continue the rate for another
two years. promptly replied the
merchant. But you know that
stability means ability to pay
bills promptly. 1t is with the
Government as it is with business.
Let firm be in a position through
its profits to be able to liquidate
its bills promptly and you will
find everyone eXtolling the ability
of the man at the head and the
stability of the house will not be
questioned. On the other hand.
if the expense of conducting
the business should be greater
than the profits on the
! goods sofa, ana DIlIo WHICH
had been formerly discounted were
allowed to run on to maturity and
beyond and extensions were asked.
the stability of that firm would be
questioned in short order"
Now, as a matter OF fact, you
as a taxpayer, would object to an
increase in taxes, would you not?'
Not much If l thought
would [ am sure the suggestion fo1
it would not come from me. Why
should [ object? l have as much
at stake here as the average man
and [ am willing to pay my pro
rata toward putting the Govern
ment on a sounder financial basis
See here" and the gentleman began
to show some feeling on the subject
the Hawaiian Islands are as fine
a locality as any in the world as q
place of residence, and yet there IS
a constant howl by certain indi-
viduals regarding taxes and sta,
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