The Pacific Commercial Advertiser

THE
WORK OF THE SESSION.

The work of the session is progressing slowly, still some progress is being made. The most important bill before it is unquestionably the Internal Tax bill, and it should be disposed of in committee to-day, if possible. The first and second sections embody the principles of taxation. Only one of these remains for approval and it has been exhaustively debated already. Little more can be said on the subject than has been presented, and therefore further debate can only originate in a design to waste time and kill the proposed law by delays which would wear out the patience of the Legislature.

The object of the bill undoubtedly is to increase the revenue by adjusting and equalizing taxation, without adding to the burdens of the people. This is a laudable object. Mr. Castle said in committee on the bill on Tuesday last that he was prepared for increased taxation if necessary. The actual requirements of the country show that this is not necessary if all who possess property paid their fair quota of taxation. Experience proves that it is not always safe to depend upon a high conscientiousness on the part of taxpayers, and therefore the law should be so framed as to prevent the evasion of taxes to any great extent. This obviously is the reason why the bill was introduced, and it is a sufficient reason for passing it. We trust therefore that the majority will not fail to do so.

The Appropriation bill stands next in importance. It provides money for carrying on the Government. Retrenchment has been recommended by His Majesty the King, and reduced estimates have been presented to the Assembly.

It is impossible to say at present how far a retrenchment policy has been adhered to. This will best be understood when the Appropriation bill is reported back from the Committee of the Whole. New votes have been added to a considerable amount, and of these it may be said that hardly one of them is unnecessary. Indeed, much more might be advantageously done in the way of providing safe landings and wharves, in building bridges, and opening and improving roads. But the want of money stares the Administration and the Legislature in the face. Hence the necessity for enacting the Internal Tax bill, and probably also some other revenue-producing measure. If this duty be neglected the Legislature may only blame itself if the revenue falls short of the requirements under the Appropriation Act. And here it may be pertinent to remark that the session has advanced so far that it is not desirable to have any further delays in the consideration of the Appropriation bill. The season is advancing, and it is time the members of the Legislature were returning to their homes to attend to their important local duties.

Among other important bills before the Legislature is one relating to the registration of shipping. This bill should become law. It adopts the American and English rule of measurement for registration. It will make a difference of about forty per cent in favor of shipowners, and as it will apply to coasters as well as to ocean-going steam and sailing vessels, the shipping interests of the country as a whole will be benefitted.

There are other bills of more or less importance before the House, but these three appear to us to be absolutely necessary from a fiscal and economic standpoint. Doubtless there will be the usual "slaughter of the innocents" at the finish, but we need not now anticipate results.