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Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 43, 30 May 1844, Page 2

While taxation is the general topic of conversation, the subject of debate in the Legislative Council, and of comment in the Newspapers, who is without a nostrum ? In common with others we have our peculiar views and ©pinions on this subject, which we will endeavour briefly to state, always bearing in mind that we argue upon the supposition that some amount of taxation is inevitable. First we premise that the annual expenditure be reduced to t..e lowest possible sum that would sulli- e for government purposes, not to impair the effi iency of those departments ' deemed essential. Believing that the

Governor and Council are as anxious as any of the settlers, to do good to New Zealand, and to render this a prosperous and flourishing colony, we hope they will well reflect and determine as to the machinery of government, what is essential, and what may be dispensed with, taking into account the impoverished circumstances of the colonists genera 1 ly, and their inability to contribute to anything superfluous The Governor having laid before the Council the estimates for the year, we think the proper course for the nonofficial members to adopt, would be to move that an enquiry be instituted into every item, seriatim, with a view of ascertaining the propriety of making any fui ther reductions. This would at once embrace the whole subject of expenditure without specifying any particular department, and every member would have the opportunity of stating his opinions, and recording his vote upon each item. Having done this, and decided upon the sum required, deduct from that the amount of assistance from the mother country, and then the subject of taxes if any are required would follow in its proper place, and not before ; for it appears to us that the question of expenditure should undoubtedly take precedence of any bills for taxing; as it would then be known what amount, if any, it would be necessary to raise. Vi e will suppose that the sum required be £30,000, and the Home Government contribute £15,000, there would then be left £15,000 to be raised by taxes in the Colony; we now come to consider the simplest and best plan of raising this sum. We would recommend a poll tax to be levied somewhat after the following rate. AH government officials, clerks, &c., to pay two per cent per annum on their salaries ; professional gentlemen, merchants, and gentlemen independent to pay annua*ly two pounds*; farmers, whose farms are 100 acres or upwards, tradesmen, and store-keepers, one pound five shillings ; mechanics fifteen shillings; and labourers, or small farmers, ten shillings each; to be made in equal quarterly payments. As Brother Jonathan would say, we calculate this tax would realize the gross sum of £B,OOO. We would recommend in order to save all expense in collecting, as well as summary pow er being given to the Police Magiatrate to compel payment, that certain disabilities such as the Governor and Council may think fit to impose, be attached to all those whose overdue taxes remain unpaid beyond a certain time. For instance, they might be deprived of the benefit of judgment in any action, cause, or suit they may have in the colony, &c. The Governor has stated that he has applied to the Home Government for further assistance, and he feels confident it will be granted to a certain extent ; perhaps the amount granted may supersede the necessity of taxing the colonists at all; we hope so, but if this should not be the case, and we must have a tax, we think a poll tax somewhat after the above plan would be the fairest and least liable to objection. Even if the Customs are abolished, £B,OOO would be a I that it would be required to raise in direct taxation, supposing £30,000 be the estimates of expenditure and £15,000 be allowed from the Home Government, taking the other sources of revenue as stated in the government estimates, which \yill be seen by the following table.

A' ording to this calculation we hou'd have a surplus of £4,45(X part

of which might be dispensed with by reducing the Public House and Auction Licenses, which are at present oppressive, especially the Public house Licenses. We are decided advocates for tf> e total abolition of the Customs, and we think that any reduction in the duties would do very little, if any good, so long as it is necessary to keep up the establishment; it is not the duties we quarrrel with, but the ruin it has inflicted on the commerce of the Bay of Tslands, and all the otherports where wha'ers frequent. Mr. Williams, the American Consul, who has just returned home, declared he would do all in his power to prevent any American vessel from putting into any port in New Zea'and, in consequence of the fines indicted, delay, and inquisitional treatment they are subject to by the Customs department. Very specious arguments are attempted to be raised in defence of the Customs, upon the supposition that a demoralizing effect would be produced pn the Native character by the free introduction of ardent spirits ; but a more complete refutation of such arguments could not exist than are furnished us by the experience of twenty years before the British Government took possession of New Zealand. Dram drinking is a growing evil, and if a taste for it be once imbibed, no amount of duty would prevent it. The Missionaries have impressed upon the Natives the baneful effects of drunkenness, and thev (the Natives), have as a body almost totally abstained from taking ardent spirits, even where it could be obtained for a trifle, and they were surrounded by the bad example of the Europeans; we therefore fear nothing as far as the Natives are concerned, from the abolition of the duties On spirits. We are proud to acknowledge the independent position occupied by our non-official members. They certainly appear as far as we are yet able to judge to labour for the public* benefit without fear or favour; and we are glad to congratulate the public upon being so ably represented. Thev are men who have a know'edge of business, and are well acquainted with the true state of this colony; and, feeling confident, as we do that the Governor is as anxious as any of them to restore prosperity, we certainly hope with their able assistance that a change for the better will soon take place. We observe in the debates of Council that Dr. Martin suggested certain reductions, and he thought the Protectorate department was amongst the number that would admit of a little pruning. The Governor defended them as a useful and most essential body of men, whose services are indispensible; he considered they had great influence over the natives ; and if any reduction in that department took place, he thought it would impair their efficiency, and he would rather resign his appointment than attempt to carry on the government of this colony without them. We have always advocated an increase of military force to vindicate the supremacy of the law: not that we are not as friendly to the Native race as any one in this colony, but from our conviction that a few punishments for crimes committed, by way of example, would have a wonderful salutary effect, by teaching them our superior strength as well as iiitellect, and thereby produce an immediate change for the better throughout the Island, We have always considered the Protectors as but a poor substitute for a strong executive; nevertheless we admit with the present amount of military force that interpreters are absolutely necessary; to cal them Protectors is a misnomer.

Poll Tar 0 O Land Titles, and Crown Grants, 3,700 0 O 0 0 0 0 O 0 O 0 0 0 At»si»tance from Home Govt., 15,000 0 0 I o w iicb we add the e xtiense of 0 present Customs establishment, 4,000 0 j£34,450 0 0