RE-IMPOSITION of the CUSTOMS DUTIES.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 9, 30 April 1845, Page 2

RE-IMPOSITION of the CUSTOMS DUTIES.

Early yesterday morning, it was reported that Captain Fitzroy had re-impnsed the Customs duties, which he abolished a few months since. On enquiry, business was found to be as active as in what are called the good old times, in tobacco and spirits alone, however; and this gave confirmation to the report. It appears that two gentlemen who left Taranaki in the schooner Carbon, for this port, landed on Monday afternoon, somewhere near Porirua, and arrived in town the same night, and immediately occupied themselves in purchasing as much as possible of the articles most likely to be affected by the alteration, which they had been induced to do in consequence of the news which had arrived over-land at New Plymouth from Auckland, respecting Captain Fitzroy's proceedings in Council.

Yesterday afternoon the schooner lady of the Lake arrived from the coast, and furnished a Southern Cross of the 12th April, in which we are informed the proceedings in Council are furnished, Capt.

Fitzroy had appeared in Council with the bill for re-imposing the Customs, stating it should become the Law of the land. A stormy debate ensued, but, of course, if he willed it so, without effect; and the old duties, of which we subjoin the particulars, as a refresher, are imposed. The bill took effect on the 3rd of April (it ought to have been on the Ist) in Auckland, and will be found to bear upon the goods subject to duty from the 9th April in all the other settlements. DUTIES. British Si-irits ss. per gallon. Foreign Spirits •• ss. per gallon. Tobacco manufactured Is. per lb. Unmanufactured .... 9d. per lb. Snuff 2s. per lb. Cigars 2*. per lb. Wines 20 per cent. Ale, beer, porter, and other! p er cent malt liquors J On all guns or weapons of any 1 description, or gunpowder, > 30 per cent. or any munition of war ..J On all other goods, wares, •• merchandise, and property, I , except personal baggage, [ P er cen '' living animals, and specie.. *

The reasons if any of which we have great doubt, for adopting this course, we have not yet obtained. But with a view of detecting them, if possible, we have been guilty of the weakness of looking up the dates and events connected with the abolition of these duties; and we now furnish these to our readers.

John Heki's proceedings at the Bay of Islands, induced Captain Fitzroy to send to Sydney for troops, with which, and every other aid Seemed by him and others amply sufficient, he was duly and quickly supplied. On thcl 21st August, 1844, his Excellency sailed from Auckland for the Bay of Islands, where he arrived on the 23id August. Preparations for action were ready by the 28th but Communications from the natives, through the missionaries, stopped all proceedings ; and on the 29th his Excellency announced to the settlers that the Bay of Islands, from that instant and for ev2r forward •.vould be a free port, and forthwith, though somewhat illegally the Customs' locks were taken off the bonded wharehouses. On the 31st the natives were met by his Excellency, and again on the 2nd September, as far as we can gather from the Auckland accounts of the events of that period, which in respect of dates are somewhat confnsed, when it is said, all was settled amicably to the satisfaction of the natives and settlers at the Bay of Islands ; and it is only just toadd that the acts were approved not only by the Southern Cross 'and other northern authorities, but aL*o by some of the wisest of this place, though after careful reading and listening to the various opinions at the time, we could not but forsee that the policy adopted would be attended at an early period, with the most disastrous consequences, in which we need hardly state, we have been fully supported by the terrible events of which the unfortunate settlement at the Bay of Islands became the scene on the ever memorable list of March last.

On hi* return to Auckland his Excellency was convinced that his acts were illegal, and as unwise, as illegal, because partial. In consequence he called his Legislative Council together which met on the 19th September, when a bill for the abolition of Customs was read for the first time, and it became law on 28th of the same month. By this bill all goods were declared free of duty from and after the Ist October last passed; but as it did not arrive here until some weeks after, a large sum, amounting we believe to more than £500 had to be returned by the Customs of this place, to the great satisfaction of course of the recipients.

The Customs were replaced by a Property Rate Ordinance, based upon the principle of direct taxation, and declaring the rate to be payable four times a year, namely, upon the Ist November, Ist February, Ist May, and the Ist August.

We presume, but we hive not been able to ascertain it to be the fact, that the Property Rate Ordinance ceased on the day that the Customs Law was re-enacted. If, however, such do not prove the case, then the settlers will find themselves liable to the tax under the Property Rate Ordinance on the ensuing Ist May, and that they have been liable to the Customs since the 9th April last past; othes-

has overlooked a little doito by which he might have secured some £1500 under the direct taxation system. It is possible, however, that were any effort ma( ]e to secure the ways and means, under both systems of taxation, even for a short time, it would prove unsuccessful, though no doubt very desirable ; if as we hear be true, that the Auckland exchequer is as might be expected, not only perfectly exhausted, but in consequence in a collapsed condition, from which state we strongly suspect, unless blown out by the English Treasury bellows, it will remain even in defiance of a recurrence to

Customs Duties.

We have always been in favour of one tax, and that to be levied in a direct mode ; the reasons in its favour are unanswerable, but we have no room for them now ; at the same time that we have always asserted this to be the principle of taxation we approve, we have also maintained that it is un-

wise to levy a tax or taxes ia a mode not generally approved, and it is a fact that while a direct tax is so preferable, mankind have almost universally -been in favour of indirect taxation. Wisdom therefore suggests the general propriety of maintaining an onerous system in preference to that which is the wisest until a community shall become convinced of the advantages of the- change. The change, however had been made by a despotic power labouring under an overwhelming intensity of fear, and without regard to the feelings of those who were to pay the piper, at the capricious order of the tyrant Maori— a power apparently, in the mind of Captain Fitaroy, even more potent than that of which he is master. Though" therefore he had done that which would have been seen in time to be exceedingly beneficial, the settlers treated him and his changes with that contempt which he has so richly earned at their hands. We should have liked to have seen direct taxation maintained, as we are sure ere long the settlers would have found it highly beneficial to the commerce of their adopted country 5 and it would have led to a watchful vigilance over the expenditure of the Government, which no other system of dipping the authorities hands into the colonial pockets will secure, a matter of no mean importance to the Press, called upon as it is to worry the public unceasingly, into paying a little attention to its own interests, and to preseive. so much liberty as it may have from that encroachment, which is the natural tendency of all Govern-

ments

New Zealand has generally teen free from Customs just six months and nine days ; namely,—from Ist of October 1844, to 9th April 1845. We are now subject to Customs duties again, and we would recorl at the same time, that we have heard, almost without exception, a feeling expressed in favour of returning to what is called the good old system of taxation. The return to Customs cannot be the consequence of instructions from England in so short a period, and the settlers feel the re-imposition of this mode of taxation is without regard to their interest ; not only therefore will the change be regarded without feelings of gratitude towards Capt. Fitzroy, but it will be with feelings that, if he have one particle of shame at his insane conduct, he will hasten and leave a body of his fellow countrymen, who he has warranted in equally hating and despising him.

The Hutt Natives.—We are told they have two small brass cannon with which they are now practising. It is said that Rauparaha had six of these cannon on Kapki.'or in its neighbourhood, and that these are two of them. The officers in command of the troops on the Hutt, have communicated with the authorities ou the subject.

The Maories are apt copyists, and have ever proved themselves clever imitators. This is proved in every case in which the natives come in contact with the Europeans. No sooner is it known amongst them that a number of the military are to be stationed on the Hint, than these "clever" missionaries are on the look-out, anxious to watch their manoeuvers. Amongst other strange things to these Hutt gentry, is the fact of a guard being kept at the block-house, and the natives, in consequence, wishing to follow so excellent a plan, now mount guard at their Pahs and potatoe grounds with loaded must kets, and we can assure our readers that hey

do not respect persons. We question even if they would allow the Great PhU an; thropist to pass unnoticed, and we are assured that these lambs in wolves clothing intend giving any Protector or Bishop who may p ass that way, an ounce of lead, as a receipt—f u ]j of all demands.

We fear it will be difficult, if not impossi. ble to induce the natives to retire quietly from the Hutt. A mode that might tend to a result so much desired by all right mmd ci | men, would be for all to refuse to buy from or sell to the natives. This might. accomplish an event so desirable, but of course it must be a voluntary act, and we fear this is greatly against its success, though palpably for the general interest of the settlement. If this Total abstinence from trading with the natives could be brought about for a short pc, riod great good would be the consequence>but we i'ear the desire of profit is too great to allow of a course which might save bloodshed and promote the reputation of ihe settle, ment. News from the north may daily b& expected, and then fear may produce what justice or wisdom we feel will not bring about; and until then of course no hostile proceedings will emanate from the authorities and European settlers

The Hutt fort was duly surveyed yesterday, and an order arrived with Mr. Watts' wag. gon, for two of the Corapany,s eighteen pounders.

The Coast Natives. —The Wanganui mail arrived on last Saturday afternoon. The carrier reports that the conduct of the natives on the coast had become quite changed. They were now as respectful and kind as in olden times, and this was generally observed and remarked upon by the white men residing along and visiting the coast. It is a well known fact, that the news of the colony is eagerly sought after by the natives, and rapidly communicated throughout the island. There is no doubt they have heard of the arrival of troops and men of war at Auckland, and also of the two companies in this place, of the forts erecting, of the constant drilling of both civilians and tte military, and the formidable body they already present, and these are the circumstances unquestionably which are operating so favourably on the native character and conduct. Still the natives must not be trusted; they have established a character for treachery and incapability of experiencing the feelings of friendship. If we are to have peace we must adopt the wise maxim, that it is only to be secured by being prepared for war. A large permanent military force must be kept in New Zealand, and every settler must be carefully trained to the :ise of arms. The relative wisdom of Exeter Hall policy, and manly policy, even now begins to be seen, arid the palpable superiority of the latter over the former wil' soon be admitted by the ignorant enthusiasts of England and elsewhere, from whose folly the European settlers have suffered so much, and to which, had it not been checked thus early, the entire destruction cf the native race would hereafter be traced home by the New Zealand historian.

Sulphate of Magnesia, or Epsom Salts.—This article has been found in a considerable quantity iv a cave on Capt. W. M. Smith's station, in the Wairarapa valley, situated about twenty-six miles from the bay. We have been informed it will not prove of any value, still it is well to record all the discoveries that are made from time to time.

Green Stone.—Several parcels have lately been brought from the middle Island, a portion has been disposed of to the natives here, and in exchange for produce to the natives on the coast. Some of it is now being purchased by parties to send to England by the Coledonia as geological specimens. It has been suggested to us it might prove useful as an article of commerce at home, and more especially to make china and some of the numerouse wares made at Birmingham.

P. D. Hogg, Esq., returns immediately to Wellington, as Sub-Collector of Customs, and the office of Collector at Auckland, will be Blled by the gentleman who came from Hobart Town for that purpose, just as his excellency had determined upon a direct system of taxation.