The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1896-05-19


Since writing the review Of the Brit
ish income tax which appeared in these
columns May Is, attention has been
called To an amendment 70 the Act
passed July sist. 1894, IL does not affect
the general provisions Of the Act, but
refers merely to the exemption and
abatement. Up to that year exemption
was allowed for $3.50 and abatement for
incomes not exceeding $4,000, The new
sc, raised the amount of exemption to
$500 and the amount where abatement
was allowed TO $500, and in this form;
the old rate OF abatement for incomes
of 5000 was 5000: under the new Act
the full exemption is allowed. viz. $500,
so that an income Of $1,000 only pays on
81 zoe. Incomes of $500 pay on $4,000.
being allowed an abatement OF $500.
OF course this raising of exemptions
and attachments has been based on
the principle dwelt on several times in
these columns. viz. the higher the rate
of tax the greater must be the exempf
tons and the ahatements. 1t has hs<n
maintained that there is no such thing
as progressive taxation in England.
II this is not such progressive taxation.
we should like 10 know what progress
sive taxation is. True. il is not carried
as far as we should like TO see it. not
carried out TO its logical conclusion. as
it has been in Japan. but the germ is
there. and most assuredly it will grow.
England is a conservative, country as
a rule. and progressive taxation of in
comes naturally meets with much on
position, but the true theory of taxation
allows it; it is indeed sanctioned BY The
very best thought 1t appeals to com
mon sense, but common sense. alas.
has had very little to do with taxation
in the past True republicanism brings
common sense TO bear on such uues-
tons Aristocracy OF birth or wealth
objects TO bringing common sense to
bear, and merely wishes to save itself
burdens which it lays with an unspar-
ing hand upon those least able to bear
them The mere crudity of taxation is
the poll tax, which it is to be hoped will
be wiped out from our tax laws within
two years. The poll tax for the whole
Islands amounts to S45,5SO. An increase
'f receipts might very easily allow this
AK to go, and dollar might be taken
rom the school tax if it is found that
he income tax be as remuneratiye as
We think it will be.
If the income tax is properly man
.ged it will. even at the ridiculously
mall rate which is proposed, prove far
more remunerative than people think.
{ will bring one per cent from more
han the $4,000. 600 calculated upon.
1t would be no bad plan for the Legis-
allure TO pass short Act empowering
he tax assessors to inquire into the
mount OF income of all persons. A
eparate column might be reserved in
he tax books for this purpose This
Iould not be for the purpose of taxation
ow, but would AFFORD very valuable
lass of material for forming estimates
Or the taxation of the future
That the income tax bill will pass the
louise Of Representatives is now as
ured. What fate it will meet in the
enate is quite another thing. The Rep
voice the wishes of the
eople- The Senate has voiced the
fishes Of those with the money bags.
ne House of Representatives has been
cry wise to keep the whip hand over
ibsidy bills till it's voice can be heard
! the Senate