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Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 316, 19 July 1898, Page 2

We received from the Government Printer yesterday a return showing the consumption' per head of population of articles in common use. It is well that these facts should be known in order that the people may appreciate the indirect taxation they are paying. During 1897, the duty. collected on spirits amounted to £382,509, or £1 16s per head of the adult male population, including Maoris. Wine yielded .£30,518, or 1b 2|d per head of the male and female population over IS years, including Maoris. Ale and beer returned £19,035, or 9£d per head of the male and female population over 15 years. The excise duty on beer made in the colony amounted to £71,705, being 2s 11-jd per head of the population over 15 years of age. This gives a total revenue from alcoholic liquor of £503,827. Tobacco yielded £242,291 : and cigars and cigarettes, £05,538. Smokers, therefore, contribute to the revenue £307,829, which amounts to £1 8s 11 J-d per bead of the adult male population.including Maoris. Coffee, cocoa and chicory are credited with £5,722 or lfd per head of the total population. Sugar paid £147,498, being at the rate of 3s lOd per head of the total population. Tea yielded £76,081, being Is llfd per head of the total population. Goods not classified, admitted under the different ad valorem scales, yielded £634,043, equal to 10s s|-d per head of the whole population. It is only by giving attention to the above facts that the people can understand the bearings of the taxation question. They certainly afford a very strong argument against the creation of surpluses by the Colonial Treasurer.