The Hawke's Bay Times. Published every Monday and Thursday. THURSDAY, 15TH FEBRUARY, 1866. MR STAFFORD’S MANIFESTO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 350, 15 February 1866, Page 2

The Hawke's Bay Times. Published every Monday and Thursday.

THURSDAY, 15TH FEBRUARY, 1866. MR STAFFORD’S MANIFESTO.

"NCIXItTS ADDICXPS JDEAKK IK VE&BA MAQISTEI."

A considerable portion of our space oa Monday was appropriated to an analysis of Mr Stafford’s statement of policy, made before his constituents at Nelson on the 27th ult.; and we now propose to return to the subject, and examine the more important points brought before the public by him. Mr Stafford, before a Nelson audience, occupies a somewhat different position from that of an ordinary representative before bis constituency. In a certain sense he is not simply addressing the people there assembled, but he stands before them as the Premier of New Zealand, and (through the press) he is addressing the whole Colony. We cannot disguise the fact that he exhibits considerable reticence on several subjects, on which which we could have wished him to have spoken out; while, on the other hand, it must be admitted that he has given us a fair statement of his intentions on certain points, as the Income Tax and Stamp Duties, on which we could hardly have expected so full an enlightenment. But we must take it and examine it as he has. given it to us.

Passing over the earlier parts relating to his unwillingness to take office, and the difficulties attending the constitution of a Cabinet, we come at once to the pith and marrow of the whole, and consider the means ho proposes shall be taken to meet the liabilities of the Colony, Here we go with him. These liabilities exist, —must be met, —means must be provided to meet them ; —Customs duties are as high as it is advisable to make them; — but as the Tariff is unequal in its pressure, it is advisable to reform it so as to adjust it in this respect; but not with the view of obtaining any material increase of revenue from that source. For this purpose the best of all measures that can be devised is an Income Tax. Details be does not give us. We know nothing of what amount he proposes to raise by it, where it is to begin, nor at what rate it is to be applied; but we are prepared to endorse the principle, and trust to the General Assembly for its execution. Ha also alludes to the probability of his adopting the proposal of his predecessors, and availing himself of Stamp Duties, considering this as an unobjectionable way of raising a revenue. As an auxiliary means we agree with him, but we feel sure that Stamp Duties will bear but a very limited application, being, as it always must be, a fetter upon trade and commerce. We should prefer a bolder policy—one that relied upon the freedom of trade rather than one that burdens it. But we fancy Mr Stafford will not depend greatly upon this source, and will propose only what will be readily borne. Here, as before, we could have hoped for a more detailed statement of his intentions. There are vague rumours of additional postage rates, and a tax upon tie transmission of newspapers; all of which vie sincerely trust will prove unfounded, as all that in any way tends to obstruct or retard the inter-communication of the public and the transmission of intelligence, will prove detrimental to the revenue in far greater ratio than it can directly aid it by contribution. And such a scheme will be likely to prove fatal to an otherwise stable Government. It is somewhat cheering to find that he is still confident of his ability to save from the ordinary expenditure of the Government a sum equal to i>240,000 per annum. Of all the promises that can be made to a people by a Ministry, that, of retrenchment and economy is the most popular, and, if legitimately carried out, satisfactory; but we protest against a cheese-paring economy—that squanders at head-quarters its thousands, and saves its units, —an economy that saves at the cost of efficiency; and we think that there is retsou to fear that Mr Stafford’s economy will prove of this nature. He has commenced with the press , and this is a great mistake. Ten times the paltry sums that can be saved by curtailing and restricting advertisements may be readily lost in consequence of such a course. Merchants understand this, and the case is the same with the Government. So also in the case of defence. To us there is no question that Mr Weld’s estimates for defence were short of whst efficiency requires and de-

mauds. To talk of peace at the present time is a manifest absurdity ; and if we have not Imperial we must have Colonial forces,-—call it an armed police or what you will. If only to carry out the admitted polioy of Mr Stafford himself, —the repression of outrages,— the capture of criminals and their punishment,—it will necessitate the existence of a Colonial Army ; and the country will have to submit its maintenance whether willing or not But, apart from all these things, there is ample room for retrenchment. In the realms of officialdom and waste, or, to use Mr Stafford’s words, in the “ Departmental and Native Services.” In this latter especially there is ample room for retrenchment. We see no reason, even though the “Bigmouthed ” Arawas insist on it, that the Colony should be taxed to feed an army of quasi friendly rebels, just to keep them from open outbreak; and we fear no better reason can be given. Let the test be applied, and, if they are found wanting, apply the remedy —confiscation and, notwithstanding the error Mr Stafford says they labor under who suppose that a revenue can be benefitted from this source, w r e may be allowed to have some faith in it still.

Mr Stafford concludes by giving bis views on Separation. To bis remarks we have nothing to add. They are the views we have enunciated from time to time. We feel that a change is inevitable; that there must be a remodelling of the constitution ; and that, if the Government is wise, the feeling of the people will not be disregarded. But a change will be effected, and one that so far from rending the Colony will be attended with as little disturbance as possible.