The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-05-26

theoretically the fairest tax. 1t has
been successfully applied in England
and some of the colonies, where con-
ditiOns are different. In England, with
a great population and comparatively
a small area, and with machinery
of government uneXcelled on the earth,
they have been able to carry out the
system fairly well. In New Zealand,
with a homogeneous population OF
700, 900 people, with the best of condi-
tiOns as to education and development
Of the country, they have carried out
the provisions of an income tax sue
cessfully. There were great Difficult
ties in instituting it there. With our
conditions it would be extremely diff
cult to carry out such a law and have
it work fairly and justly.
In regard to the policy of the Gov
ernment in this matter, that has been
clearly and distinctly announced,
through the message of the President
to the Legislature at its opening, which
is as follows: The operation of the
tax law of 1896 produced in the main
satisfactory results, and while 1t gave
rise to litigation, it is now more fully
understood, and its administration IN
the future will undoubtedly meet with
but little opposition. For this reason,
and also on account of a desire that
all legislation should follow conserva-
tive lines, the Exeucutive have decid-
ed not to introduce and new measure
for the purpose of increasing the rev
enues.
81 will in this connection remark
upon the matter of the policy of the
Executive 1t has been stated in this
Il ~ hnC T01hlichnH in
the local press, that one Of the diff
cuIties of the work in the Legislature
at this Session, one reason for the
delay in it's work, has been on account
Of the lack of policy on the part of the
Government. 1t seems to me that
those statements have been made
rather thoughtlessly, and without
basis in fact, because in the message
of the President the policy of the Gov
ernment was announced very clearly
on the more important matters which
are before the country. In the first
place, the policy was announced in
regard to the political status, with
reference to our relations with the
United States; next came the matter
of public improvements, the policy Of
the Government in regard to which
to education, revenue, consolidation
of the public debt, cable communica-
ton, forestry, sanitation, and the ap-
preparation bills. On all the main, es-
sential matters for the administration
of the Government for the next two
years, clear and definite policy has
been announced in the message, the
Appropriation Bill and on the floor
of both Houses, and is being followed.
1t seems to the Executive that under
existing conditions it would be a mis-
take to exchange for the present sys-
tenn of taxation a new, untried and
experimental system.
81 therefore support most heartily
the motion to Indefinitely postpone the
present bill, which would set us adrift
on the sea of experiment"
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At 2:10 o'clock there was still no
quorum in the House. Rep. Kaeo
moved to adjourn. The Speaker stated
that he thought it would be better for
the House to adjourn for three months |
and allow the members to go back to |
their homes rather than to keep put |
ting off work by the tardiness Of mem
bers.
House Bill 8, Income Tax Act, was |
taken up for consideration. Rep. Ka- |
hauIelio moved that the bill be laid |
on the table. Lost by vote of to z. |
Under suspension of rules Rep. |
Robertson presented the report Of the
Judiciary Committee on Senate Bill
27 relating to the jurisdiction of the
First Circuit in certain civil cases.
The report recommended the Senate
Bill be laid on the table. A substitute
bill was presented and read first time
by title while the report was laid on
the table to be considered with the
bill.
Some of the members kept walking
out into the hall and frequently there
were calls of mo quorum" Rep. Gear
evidently became tired Of this kind Of
thing and moved to adjourn. This was
carried by a vote Of 6 to 5.