The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-03-11

matter. Upon examination it was
found that Mr.. Bolte was correct.
The change was reconsidered almost
Immediately.
Rep. RycrOft said that he must have
been misinformed if the Minister was
correct in what he said. He nnder-
stood that Mr.. Bolte had written as
an inducement to German labOrers to
come into the country. He did not
think that il was intended that Ger
mans would come into the country
and settle at once on the land.
Minister Cooper was sure that the
House had confidence in the Execu-
tive regarding the good of the Hawai-
ians. That was one of the principal
points before the Executive at all
times He believed that, under the
present law, the native Hawaiians
would become beneficiaries of the
Government. He was sure that none
would be in favor OF placing them
selves in such a position. 1t would
work as a detriment instead of bene-
fit. The rent at the uppermost would
be very small. The appraisement
would be on the basis of eight acres of
cool land or sixteen acres of second.
class land. Valuation on the best
land could hardly be imagined more
than 500 At 4 per cent. this would
u "
of mans possessions is in accordance
with what he has expended on them:
The previous homestead law was a
very gratifying one, and yet the
amendment proposed would not make
the present law nearly as hard TO
bear. By making conditions so that
a small sum would have to be paid by
the holders of homesteads, the incen-
tive toward making a good home
would be increased because something
of value has been expended on it.
Surveying and laying out roads was
another matter to be considered. This
cost money, and it was the fear of the
Executive that by granting entirely
free land the law would become q
dead letter.
Rep. Rycroft said that 1t was true
the holders of homesteads would be
exempt from taxation, but he thought
they would be for year or two until
they get started.
Rep. Kamauoha had been looking
at the last sections of the Land Act
and found that, after. twenty years,
there would be q revaluatiOn of the
land. After that time, as he under
stood 1t, per ceDts would be placed
on the land. A great many of the
representatives were not fully in
formed on the provisions of the Land
Act. Rep. Kamauoha moved that the
bill pass its second reading. He also
suggested that, in the interval, the
members of the House read up on the
Act.
Rep. Kamauoha further remarked
that the Government could rot go on
building roads and making improve
ments on the lands proposed for
homesteads If no taxes were forth
coming. Each person holding such
land should contribute something TO
the Government. 1t might be good
thing for the Attorney-Genera to be
present during the third reading of
the bill.
Rep. Hanuna said he was of the
opinion Rep. Kamauoha was wrong
in the matter of taxes not being paid
until after twenty years. AS he un-
derstood it, just as soon as land is
taken up the taxes begin to run. He
did not think that the passage of the
report of the committee to table the
bill would embarrass the Government
very much, but since he thought the
bill proposed good one he would
second the motion of Minister CooL er
that the bill'pass its second reading.
Rep Rycroft did not think it wise
thing to oppose any measure coming
from the Executive. They were re-
sponsible men and on the qui vive for
the interests of the country. They
should be held in confidence by the
House. However, he was very much
surprised that the oversight had been
made by the Executive, particularly
since the part it was now proposed to
amend was treated so exhaustively.
Mr. Rycroft did not think it q good
thing to allow any one to have land
entirely free. 1t was good thing for
each hOmnatQQdQF RI hing
for what he has.
Rep. Richards was not yet ready for
the question. He did not thoroughly
understand the Act and moved that
consideration be postponed untH
Wednesday. He did not see any rea-
son why more time should not be
granted for the consideration of
matter so important and far-reaching.
Rep. Bond asked Minister Cooper if
the bill introduced as an amendment
was not out of fear of too many for
eigners coming into the country.
Minister Cooper replied in the mega.
tive, and added that the law as it now
stands would result in the occupancy
of very few lots and would tend to
kill the law itself. There would be no
money forthcoming for surveys, roads
and other Improvements. The twenty
year limit was for the protection of
the hOmesteaderS. one valuation
would be set at the beginning of the
term and could not be changed until
the expiration.
Rep Bond wanted to know if every
one holding land valued not above
800 was exempt from taxation.
Minister Cooper replied that such
was fact. If that was the only pos
session of the owner then no taxes
would be required, but if other was
owned then each would simply act as
an asset.
The motion of Rep. Richards, TO
postpone consideration of the bill
until Wednesday, carried unani-
mOusly.
House bill No. came up for third
reading.
Rep. Rycroft opposed the passage of
the bill, without the amendment in
Guiding Hilo and Waikiki in the
nIaces for the cafe keepinp of records