The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1896-05-22

ton OF the committee report
Rep. Robertson-I second the motion
of Rep. Richards. 1t may be a bit su-
perfUous to pass resolutions on annex
alton, the House having put itself on
! record before regarding the same sub
ject; but in my mind no harm can
come from reiteration Annexation is
one of the provisions of our Constitu-
tion-of the Constitution under which
we were elected and which we have
sworn TO support. We should pass the
resolution unanimously. 1t is as much
a desire now as it ever was. l am sat-
isfied that an Independent Government
in this country is out of the question.
The only remedy is in annexation to
the United States. We should con-
tinue steadfast in advocating and
working for the idea. There is no
sense in discussing the resolution as
amended by the Senate or the report of
the committee. We are all agreed on
the subject of annexation. Then why
bubble over few words? Let's adopt
the report of the committee and go on
with more important work. Report
adopted.
Rep. Hanuna moved for the adop-
ton of the resolution. Adopted with a
vote of IA to 1, Rep. Kamauoha in the
negative.
Rep. Robertson reported for the Sc
lect committee on the Income Tax
bill, as follows:
I'VE believe that in income tax is
the fairest way of raising revenue that
has been devised. While it is unlikely
that such tax will ever become the
only or principal means of raising
revenue as long as there is great fiuc-
tuation in incomes in this country,
there seems no reason why an income
tax at a reasonable rate should not be
made supplementary to the ordinary
property tax. One thing is certain.
and that is the country must and should
have larger revenue. The bill I'M
der consideration is intended as a be-
ginning, the rate of tax is made low,
and the exemption somewhat high,
our intention being to treat the matter
more as an experiment than as a rev.
enue measure at the start
''If the bill can be placed on our stat
dlC DOOhO III q lOl at L.,
little experience as to its practical
working and effect will show what
changes are necessary. and what i'm
provements can be made by amend
ment
Eve recommend that the bill pass
with the following amendments:
THAT Section l be amended to read
q c follows. sSaotinr1 1 from ond Of
ter the first day of July, A D. 1897,
there shall be levied, assessed, collect
ed and paid annually upon the gains,
profits and income derived by every
person residing in the Republic and by
every person residing without the Re
public, from all property owned, and
every business, trade, profession, EN-
ployment or vocation carried on in the
Republic, and by every servant or Off
Ger of the Republic wherever residing,
tax of l per centum on the amount so
derived. Provided, that where the
gains, profits or income of any such
person who resides within the Republic
or of any servant of officer of the Re
public wherever residing, shall not
have exceeded the sum of four thous-
and dollars for the preceding twelve |
months, only so much of such gains, |
profits or income as exceeds the sum
of two thousand dollars shall be liable |
to such tax. And the tax herein pro-
vided for shall be assessed by the AS
SCISSORS and Collectors for the time be- |
ing for the several tax divisions of the |
Republic, and collected and paid upon |
the gains, profits and income for the
year ending the Both day of June next
preceding the time for levying, assess
ing and paying the said tax
In Sections 2, 8, 4, 5, 8, 10 and IL the
committee recommends few slight
changes in wording.
Laid on the table to be considered |
with the bill.
Income Tax bill taken up for consid-
Grafton.
Rep. Robertson moved for the pass
age of Section 1, with the amendments
of the committee.
Minister Damon take great pleas
ure in seconding the motion to pass
this section. The measure has been |
introduced and l believe firmly that
it is a move in the right direction.
1t will be very great help to the Min
lister of Finance in raising revenue, and |
is directly in support of his bill that
has recently passed both houses. The
introduction of the Income Tax bill is
a direct REPUTATION of the statement
that this country is unable to take care
of itself. The House, representing the
people and the taxpayers, have
brought forth a measure which has
been found to work we'll in older coun-
tries. 1t places the burden on the
shoulders of those who are best able to
stand it. think that it is a harbinger
of great good from the fact that it EN-
anated from the House of Representa-
tives, whose members are chosen by a
freer vote. The Representatives come
as they should, representing the peo-
pie. i do not think that there is
single member of this House who comes
here representing capital l have no.
ticed with great pleasure every time
have been present in the House that no
color line has been drawn. No 81 am
better than thou" There has been a
feeling of unanimity in which no mem
l.. !