The duties on South Sea products, save those on oil, had been levied first by Bligh, and those on oil by Macquarie.[1] But the latter was far from defending them, and wrote that they were "as impolitic in principle as they have been proved by the experience of several years to be unproductive in revenue".[2] He dwelt on the lack of other exports and the expensive outfit necessary for whaling, proposing that a drawback should be allowed. Lord Bathurst agreed to this, and by an Act of Parliament of 1819 this drawback was permitted.[3] The duties on timber were withdrawn by order of the Governor in 1821.[4] Two additional imposts were laid in 1818, a duty of 6d. a lb. on tobacco and an increase in the duty on spirits, which brought the whole up to 10s. a gallon. The purpose of the latter was "to lighten the burthen of this Colony on the mother country" as well as to restrain "the present immoderate consumption of spirituous liquors".[5] The actual effect of the measure was to increase the revenue without achieving any reduction in consumption. As a matter of fact it could not have done both. The tax on tobacco—a tax which it could easily stand—was intended to serve as a protective duty and foster home-production; but towards that end it was ineffective.
The duties were not exacted very strictly, and the Government were usually ready to take security for their payment. In 1820 no less a sum than £4,024 was owing, and the Governor held unrealised securities, some of which dated back to the time of King and Bligh.[6]
The cotton goods, sugar, rice and tea, which formed a great part of the colonial trade, were imported direct from India and China under licenses from the Bengal Government and the regulations of the committee of super-cargoes at Canton.[7] The voyage to and from China lasted about three or four months, and the delays in port at Sydney were the cause of many com-
- ↑ G.G.O., 26th June, 1813.
- ↑ D. 21, 15th May, 1817, R.O., MS.
- ↑ 59 Geo. III., cap. 114.
- ↑ G.G.O., 31st March, 1821.
- ↑ D. 3, 15th May, 1818. R.O., MS. Macquarie was always dissatisfied with the 5 per cent. ad valorem duty, wishing to substitute a more complicated scale at a higher rate levied on weight and quantity, but Bathurst did not approve it. See D. 3.
- ↑ Bigge's Report, III. See also Chapter X.
- ↑ In accordance with Charter of East India Company.
