A Tax on Wool.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 165, 7 January 1873, Page 7

A Tax on Wool.

A writer in the Ilobart Town Mercury points out the following advantages in favour of taxing wool, instead of imposing an Income Tax, which is spoken of as likely to be brought into force in Tasmania shortly :—l. Facility of Collection, which is a primary element in the solution of any tax. This is amply secured through the medi mof the Custom-house. 2. Impossibility of evasion —As the wool produced is brought to all the ports of the Colony for shipment to other countries, it must fall under the cognizance of the Customhouse : hence no room is afforded for evasion in the smallest degree. 3. Economy in Collection, which satisfies another leading element in iixing ;i tax ; the existing machinery of the Custom-house being fully adequate to the collection and paying into the Treasury of this export duty without any extra expense whatever. 4. Equitable nature of the impost. —Contrasted with the adjoining Colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, which pay ian assessment on Stock, from which Tasmania is freed, a duty on wool can be viewed only as an equivalent for such exemption, and as a fair contribution to the general expenses of Government. As wool-growers, unlike agriculturists, can scarcely be reckoned to be employers of labour in relation to the vast areas of land over which their flocks are scattered, so the general revenue receives but little indirect benefit from the consumption of dutiable articles by tho comparatively few shepherds and hutkeepers employed ; and consequently it is in this direction that Parliament may fairly and legitimately turn for some share of assistance to meet the financial exigencies of the Colony. Should it be urged that the effect of the impost would be to diminish the production of wool, (of which, by the way, not the slightest apprehension need be entertained,) so far from the consequence proving a national calamity, it would in reality be an unmixed good, should it drive the woolgrowers to "agriculture," and the cultivation of some of their fine lands, as the more profitable pursuit, and make them larger employers of labour than they are at present, and thus aid in promoting the material prosperity of the Colony.