269
REVENUE.
In the course of
37. Table XXVI is a comparative statement of revenue for the past five years. correspondence appearing in the public prints last year certain items of revenue collected from "European constructed vessels" were referred to as evidence that European shipping was more heavily taxed than junks the inference being that the ship-owner paid the heavier fees. Examination of these items will show that the inference is most misleading, and the illustrations inaccurate.
1st. "Emigration Brokers" in 1891, $1,200, were paid by 6 individuals who find $10,000
security each. The licences are issued for the protection of ships and owners.
It is a trade license as much as a pawn-broker's or public house licence, and there appears no more reason why it should be considered a charge on shipping, it might as easily be paid direct into the Treasury as the others are, and not appear in the collection of this Department at all.
2nd. Shipping seamen $11,782. Hitherto not one cent of this has been paid by the ship- owner, $1 for shipping, and 25 cents for discharging have been the charges legally and carefully deducted from the seaman's wages. Unless a seaman signs Articles before a Shipping Master, the owners have no legal control over him. These dues are paid all the world over save in England. They are a distinct benefit to owners and as much general revenue as stamp duty.
3rd. Examination of Masters, Mates and Engineers $1,900. These fees are paid by the individuals who come up for examination. The multiplication of certificated officers is of the greatest convenience to ship-owners, the law (and also Insurance Companies) requiring certain certificated officers to be on board. Were officers unable to obtain certificates abroad on production of satisfactory proof of competency and service, they would be debarred from rising in their profession (or materially retarde:1), and ship- owners would be put to great delay and inconvenience in filling up vacancies caused by death, misconduct, &c., and until such vacancies were filled up it must be remembered the ships could not be run. The fees from the Victoria College might with equal pro- priety be claimed as properly creditable to "Shipping."
4th. Survey of Steamships $8,643.77. These surveys are carried out for the protection of the public and although the fees charged fall against shipping, they can only be looked upon as trade licences.
The certificates are signed by the Governor and are a distinct benefit to owners, as without them they could not carry passengers, and there would be great difficulty in effecting insurance. If these fees were not paid here, they would have to be paid elsewhere.
5th. Registry fees $275. These fees are paid to acquire a national character; as a legal document confer ownership; also for changing the name of the Master on the Register where it must appear by Imperial law and Colonial Ordinance. These fees have to be paid somewhere; there is nothing to prevent owners running their ships under other flags if they think it would be cheaper.
6th. Medical fees for Inspecting Emigrants $14,435.50. This examination is a distinct benefit to shippers and emigrants alike it naturally follows, therefore, to shipping and ship-owners. Without it emigrants could not be obtained in any number and shippers would lose the passage money. It is the hall mark of British supervision and justice. It means only voluntary emigration and prevents mutinies aboard ships. It should be noted that the Registrar General's staff are also employed in the regulation of emigra- tion at the examination on shore, the actual medical examination on board ship, the name under which the fee is collected, being but a very small proportion of the whole process, it however insures the ship against contagious disease, and humanly speaking against quarantine detentions and loss of money at the end of her voyage. If, however, the burdens are excessive and the benefits not an adequate equivalent, there is no reason why the trade should be confined to this centre.
7th. Licences Steam-Launches $462.50. An ordinary trade licence to carry passengers of precisely the same nature as that of a Jinricksha or Chair licence, and there appears no more reason why Ocean steamers should be credited with the one than with the other. 8th. Survey Certificates for Steam-Launches $1,055. For the protection of the public an ordinary Board of Trade examination to which passenger launches are subjected every half year in the same way as are locomotives in England or penny steam boats on the Thames. Shipping have no more claim to them than to the fees for the testing of the Peak tramway. The explosion and loss of life on board the steam-launch Wing Shing on the 7th May last, (a towing launch) demonstrated how necessary is a periodical Government examination of all launches not only for the protection of those on board but in a crowded harbour like Victoria to safeguard passers-by.