Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1871.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1171, 14 November 1871, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1871.

We were slightly incorrect the other clay in onr assumption that the present session of the General Assembly would be knovn as the "donothing session," the fact being that something at least lias been done--the fiscal burdens of the Colony have been most materially augmented. We were quite correct, however, in the statement that it would not be known as the " retrenchment session," every attempt in this direction having been most persistently opposed by the Government. Of the two courses open to the Ministry to meet a failing levenue —a reduction of expen ses on the one hand, and increased taxation on the other—they have chosen the latter, and House of Representatives has confirmed their choice. A tax has been imposed upon the food of the people, notwithstanding the protest of a large section of the community; — corn, flour, and rice are all to be made dearer to the public ; soap and timber also suffer under an additional burden; while the trade and commerce of the Colony receives another check by increased stamp duties. We do not believe for a moment that the anticipations of the Ministry, of increase of revenue from these sources, will be realized,— the fact being that the people were already overtaxed, and when this is the case revenue is rather decreased than otherwise by adding to taxation. A falling off of no less than £7,000 was shewn in the revenue of the first quarter of the present year, as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year, and this decline is undoubtedly owing in a great measure to the crushing pressure of the taxation upon the resources of the Colony. Had the Government any serious wish to reduce the expenditure of the departments, they would not have set themselves so entirely in opposition to Mr Macandrew's motion for a reduction of all salaries which are over £4OO per annum. They need not have accepted it in the exact form iu which it was proposed, as to reduce all such, salaries/ by a uniform percentage, though avety

obvious method of procedure, would leave some of them still far too high for the means of the Colony, while it might reduce some that should not be cut down to that extent. By rejecting it in toto the Government has shewn that it did not wish to move at all in that direction, but that it preferred the easier course of imposing fresh taxation. Mr Macandrew has, however, gained one point: he has enabled the House to give expression to its feeling' that some such reduction is neceesary, and imposed the obligation on Ministers to provide during the recess a comprehensive measure for effecting the object.