The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-01-19
THE INCOME TAN.

= The question of the income tax is
absorbing some of the attention of the
Cabinet, and the proposition is made
that this is not the time to enter upon
the subject. The contention is advanc-
ed that at present it is better to let
things alone until we see how we
stand. With annexation the customs
receipts go to the federal government,
so do the postofiice receipts. On the
other hand our machinery of govern
ment would be less costly. The eX-
pense for military would cease entire
ly. There would not he four Minis
tiers and president to provide for.
One Governor would, supply the place
of these and the number of depart
mental clerks would be much reduc-
ed. With the system of taxation as it
stands at present, it is certain that
the expense of carrying on the bust
ness of the country would be easily
met.
But there is another side, and the
side that is considered by the body of
men whom The Star represents. They
contend, and contend justly, that the
present system of taxation is unsatis-
factory. That the poorer classes pay
their full quota and the rich do not
pay their just proportion. The party
made an effort at reaching "A solution
in the last Legislature, but the law
then passed did not work. Experience
has shown how that law can be made
TO work Even though we are in a
transition state there is no reason why
we should not take up question of
this kind and consider a more equita-
BILE system of taxation than we now
possess. 1t is no use sitting down and
doing nothing till someone stirs up
up to action. That is a laissez falre
policy which would be decidedly not
in line with the progressive thought
of the country.
Whether the income tax come up at
the next Legislature is not for the Cab
met to decide. Whether it shall be a
government measure is ali that the
Ministers can settle. The Star has,
however, urged that it should be Il
government measure, because the Min
lister of Finance should make the pro-
posed expenditures fit with the pro-
noSn1 reNanup and he Shou1G cpnp
into the house telling it how much he
has received from each special tax,
and how much he expects to receive.
Now there is no one more capable of
preparing such a statement than the
Minister of Finance, because he has
the machinery to work with. Thus
he should be able to say "from the In
come tax | estimate that the treasury
will receive so much. That leaves so
much to be raised. This | expect to
get from such and such sources. and
obtaining this shall be able to sug-
gest a reduction in another direction
as say of the direct personal taxes.
choose to bring in the income tax, or
revision of our tax system there is
nothing to prevent some member of
the Senate bringing in such bill, and
its being passed through both houses
whether the Cabinet wish it or not.
The income tax is Il party measure,
it is IA plank in the platform Of the
American Union party, and the MEM
beers of that party are pledged 10 do
their utmost to pass such a measure.
As has been suggested it will come best
from the Cabinet, because the Minis
ter of Finance has the information
ready at hand, but it can also tma-
nate from Senator McCandless, Repre-
sentative Robertson, or some one else.