COLONIAL POLITICS.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 39, 2 May 1844, Page 2

COLONIAL POLITICS.

"We refer our readers to another part of this paper for a copy of the Bills about to be laid before the Legislative Council, as published in the Government Gazette of April 27. Before we come to notice those relative to taxation, we would not pass over some very useful measures about to be introduced, in favour of which public opinion is-unanimous, and there cannot be a question as to the good that will result from them. Among these we select the first, second, and sixth, upon the beneficial tendency of which there cannot be a difference of opinion. With regard to the Bill for lowering the duties

on Spirits and Tobacco, we would ob‘ serve as a preliminary step towards the total repeal of the Cu3toms ? Ordinance, it is good so far as it goes, but a wise legislator should ever bear in mind, that those taxes answer the end of Government best, that are the least expense in collection; for the people may justly murmer at the waste of funds, where so great a proportion of the gross sum is expended in collection. Besides however small the amount of duties may be, the same vexatious and inquisitorial system with regard to vessels must be kept up, and this is a subject of greater grievance and detriment to commerce than the* mere amount of duties, even supposing they were high. The Cattle Trespass ■Ordinance may require amendment,but we think a great injustice will be inflicted on Stockholders, if damages can be recovered for trespasses committed on lands not fenced ; it is quite contrary to the Law of England, for there the farmer may impound cattle for trespass, but he must prove his field was substantially fenced before he can recover damage this we know to be the case in those seasons of the year when cattle are permitted to range over the common lands, as they frequently stray Trom the common and commit trespass where fences are out of repair, and there are no means of recovering damages, it is the fault of those who do not keep- substantial fences. The seasons for cattle grazing on the waste lands in England vary according to the local parochial or manorial regulations, and it would be esteemed a great hard* ship if the poor farmer could not turn his sheep or cattle out to pick up the spare grass, because his more wealthy neighbour has not fenced*in his pleasure gardens or park ; but if it would be felt as a grievance in England, if would be certainly much worse here, where the proportion of waste land is so great, and nothing comparatively speaking, in cultivation. "VTe say this much, because we think that any enactments that would operate so vexatiously against the Stockholder, would be doing a serious-injury to the Colony. We npw Come to consider the subject of taxes, a question upon which the people and the Governments of all countries are generally at issue* John Bull esteems it oue of his oldest and dearest privileges tc grumble at taxation, and one which he never fails to exercise, when ever any fresh appeal is made to his pocket. But supposing we did not inherit this constitutional inclination to growl and grumble, we have indeed quite sufficient cause for alarm at tbg proposed Bills for taxation published In the “ Gazette,” which are to be laid before the Council. We should not however consider them as Ordinances passed, they are as yet only Bills to be proposed to the Legislative Council, and are probably put out as feelers to ascertain public opinion on the subject.

Whenever fresh taxes are about to be imposed, the people are led to reflect upon the Government expenditure, and they very naturally inquire in a young Colony like this, how much is essential to carrying on the Government efficiently, and what proportion is expended in keeping up certain establishments,.forms, and appearances, which are in support of the honour and dignity of the Mother’Country. It is quite unreasonable to expect that the child should be saddled with the expense of the fine toggery with which it pleases the parents to deck.him, in order to gratify their own pride and.pomp, when he would prefer a plaia suit of his own manufacture. It is difficult to obtain the free consent of the people to be taxed, unless they feel assured the funds raised will be devoted

to the positively essential and not merely ornamental departments of Government, for these times will not admit of throwing any thing away in embellishments. If the Home Government deem it essential to their dignity to keep up an extensive establishment in the Colony, they should surely have the benefit of paying for it. We have perhaps rendered ourselves obnoxious to some persons, by pointing out the inutility of the offices they fill ;. but it is on public grounds alone we oppose them, as private individuals they may be worthy of our respect and esteem, only we would prefer seeing them producers instead of consumers of the pnblic weal. But we have said enough on this subject, being satisfied that economy and retrenchment must be the order of the day, and we should imagine his Excellency is too good a financier to overlook the necessity ■of abolishing all useless offices.

The tax on uncultivated land is quite ia novel affair, even in England farms are 'not taxed when unoccupied, neither are they subject to poor rates, tithes, &c., but we suppose in the Antipodes every thing goes by the rule of contrary ; at any rate if land is to be taxed at all, one penny per acie would, be ample. The tax on houses, we think is not so oppressive, as it can in a great measure be evaded, by having detached buildings for cooking, &c., and knocking down sundry partitions. The tax on animals imported we think > would be decidedly detrimeutal, considering the small quantity of cattle and sheep, &c., there are in the Colony, but if the two Shillings for each Ass had-only been levied five years ago, who amongst us would have escaped ? The tax on dogs is the only one amongst the lot that ’cordially meets with our approbation, we think such a number of them a great nuisance, and we care not if this tax were doubled ; but it is impossible to please every one, and the Government who sets about taxing the people is in a similar situation to the Irish drummer who found it impossible to please the soldier he was flogging, strike where he would.