Higher Taxes

... ——— Planters' and Traders' Sacrifices

A correspondent who recently was in the Solomons writes: Keen resentment is felt by residents of the Solomons at the recent increase in taxes.

The duty on tobacco, matches, beer and cigars has recently been raised; a poll or head tax of £1 has recently been enforced; and a new tax on fire arms has just been introduced— while the Government are even trying to collect taxes upon firearms that are hung up as mementos, such as old Sniders, and such like.

At the present time, in the Solomons, employment is very hard to obtain. Prices of produce have fallen but taxes have been increased, and the wages of natives have not fallen —except in the matter of recruiting fees. In the matter of tobacco issue to indentured labourers, the cost has increased.

There would not be such strong feeling against the new taxes if any attempt had been made to reduce administrative salary costs. But, while planters and traders have “taken it in the neck,” the official class has suffered no sacrifices worth mentioning. ... === ...