The West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 231, 19 June 1866, Page 2

The West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 1866.

So far as the press of tho Southern Provinces of New Zealand may be accepted as an index of the public opinion of the colony, it may be pronounced to be decidedly adverse to the proposal for the establishment of an Income Tax, either as a means of raising' an additional revenue, or ns a substitute for the present system of indirect taxation by fie collection of Custom duties. Without an exception that has come under our notice, this scheme has been denounced as unwise, unproductive, and vexatious. Tho same judgment upon it hns been passed.J>y the

principal mercantile- bodies possessing any power of speaking with authority. At a recent meeting, tho Dunedin Chamber of Commerce passed the following resolution, without a dissentient voice :—": — " That this Chamber desires to express its earnest and unqualified dis* approval of an Income Tax^as ono totally inapplicable to the circumstances of the country, which could never be -fairly or fully collected ; which would press most unequally upon persons in trade; exempt entirely a considerable number of weulthy absentees drawing largo incomes from tho colony ; and from the necessarily inquisitorial character of the machinery required inits collection, would prove most obnoxious to the population of this colony." Tho projected system of Stamp Duties stands equally condemned. The same meeting which passed the resolution we havo just quoted, resolved, also unanimously, " that the Chamber is of opinion that the imposition of Stamp Duties is au objectionable plan of raising revenue, inasmuch as it would lead often to great inconvenicuco, particularly to tho rural population ; whilst, at the same time, the collection of such duties would be most expensive." In the face of such a powerful demonstration of public opinion as the new proposals have elioited, it is not, we apprehend, at all likely that s the .radical innovation in the present fiscal system of the colony, contemplated by the Stafford Ministry, will bo persisted in; or if so, that it will bp endorsed by the General Assembly. It will follow that the main dependence of the colony, for a public revenue, will continue to rest upon tho collection of Customs Duties, although, we may take it for granted that the present tariff arrangements will have ' to undergo considerable modifications during the approaching session. On this subject, also, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, have, after repeated delays, at last adopted a report prepared by a subcommittee, which contains some important suggestions. At a former meeting of tho Chamber— at which there appears to have been only a thin attendance — a resolution was passed recommending an ad valorem duty on jewellery. At the special mcetingto whoso proceedings we are now referring, this resolution was rescinded, but a suggestion mado by Mr Bathgate in favor of an import duty on vehicles was added to the report submitted. Of this document, which was unanimously adopted j by the Chamber as the deliberate expression of its views, the following aro the chief recommendations :—l.: — 1. The reduction of the measurement duties to 2s: 6d. per foot, to extend ovor the following articles : — Apothecaries' wares and chemicals, boots and shoes, brushware and perfumery, drapery and clothing, harness and saddlery, musical instruments, oilmen's stores and bottled fruits, toys and fancy goods. 2. Tho reduction of the duties charged by weight to 3s per cwt. to include the following articles :— Candles, cheese, butter, hams and bacon, rice, soap, sago and arrowroot, shot. 3. The establishment of a uniform duty on malt liquor of Is por gallon, and on wine of 3s per gallon, whether in bulk or bottle in either case. 4. The substitution of a duty of Id per lb upon dried fruits, in lieu of the present measurement duty. 5. Tho maintenance of the following duties as already levied under the existing tariff :— Arms as each, gunpowder, at 3d per lb ; coffee, &c, at 3d do ; sugar, at Id do; ten^ at 6d do ; spirits, at 12s por gallon ; tobacco, at 2s 6d per lb ; cigars, at 4s 6d" per lb. And 6. Tho imposition, of tho following special duties, viss-: — On watches, if gold, 10s each; if silver, 2s 6d each ; on jewelry, gold or goldplated, 10s per oz; on jewelry, silver or silver-plated, Is 6d per 07, ; on woolpacks, 6d eaclr; on corn nnd othet sacks, Id each ; oii coal, 2s 6d per ton ; J on furniture, 3d per cubic foot measure- 1 ment ; on malt, Id per bushel ; on hops, 2d per pound ; on galvanised sheet iron, L 2 per tow ; on mineral oils, 3d per gallon ; on tiinbpr, Is per 100 feet ; on pailings, posts, &c, Is per 100; on shingles, Is per thousand ; on cutlery, 8s per cwt ; on plated ware, 20s per i cwt ; on opium, 40s per lb, These suggestions of the Chamber are not mado Avith any view to an augmented revenue, but apparently for the purpose purely of meeting tho convenience of importers.

There is no port in New Zealand possessing a more direct or a larger interest in this subject than Hokitika, whoso import returns contribute most largely to the General Revenue. And we must say that it is greatly to bo regret'ed that the Dunedin Chamber have failed to perceive tho gross inequality of taxation involved in tho measurement duty recommended by them ; and, indeed, in any measurement duty not

regulated by a proper classification of articles. In a Goldficlds community, where, slops and drapery goods of tho rougher class aro used, in far greater proportion than silks, satins, and fine broadcloths, a uniform measurement duty canjiot but operate* most oppressively, imposing tho heaviest taxes upon tho vory on clashes whom taxation ought to be mado to bear most lightly; It may be, said that the successful diggers of Westland are as well ablo to make a handsome contribution to the revenue as auy other portion of the eommuuity. But tho successful digger makes his special contribution in the export duty upon the gold which is the reward of his toil, and there is neither justice nor philosophy in causing the burden of taxation to press upon him doubly. It is oi\o of the acknowledged vices of tho Customs system that it works unequally, and must always do so, without the adoption of the ad valorem system, apportioning tho duty paid to the actual value of the article on which it is levied. Against the application of that principle it appears there me the strongest practical objections. It must be confessed, however, that in no form is tho vice of which we have, spoken "as inherent in tho system of raising revenues by duties, more- aggravated and palpable than in a measurement duty whioh'chargea a uniform sum per foot upon the coarser and more bulky articles, and upon those of the finest quality.