RANDOM NOTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 253, 22 July 1936, Page 8

RANDOM NOTES

Sidelights on Current Events (By Kickshaws.) Life-savers, it is declared, should have an athletic oath. A selection, of course, could readily be made from the golfing varieties. « « »;« The situation in Spain is such that one cannot decide if the rebels are rebelling against the Government or the Government is rebelling against the rebels?

In trying to shell a burning yacht, a French submarine hit Cannes. The truth is that one would have to be very much canned not to hit Cannes, and if you cannot hit Cannes it would take an uncanny uncanned effort to hit a yacht. » « » “I have had an argument with a friend regarding the acreage of the island at Island Bay; would you kindly enlighten us on the subject? Would you also give us the acreage of Ward and Somes Islands?” asks “George.” [The Chief Surveyor, Department of Lands and Survey, Mr. J. D. Clapperton, has kindly provided the following facts: “Somes Island, 67 acres, 2 roods, 24 perches; Ward Island, 11 acres; and the island at Island Bay, 8 acres.”]

News that experts are not ignoring a charge of high treason in the recent attempt on the King’s life has interesting possibilities. The law, at the moment, is complicated in this respect. Any such charge might well lead to interminable litigation, especially if the accused engaged a clever lawyer. Originally, the oath of allegiance was imposed, often vindictively, upon all subjects of the King. Those who broke the oath could be charged with high treason, as they may be to this day. In 1868 it was enacted that the oath of allegiance should only. be demanded from certain specified officials. Included in the list are clergymen of the Church of England, members of Parliament, and persons honoured by peerages and other dignities. Nevertheless, the duty of allegiance falls upon every subject of the Crown. The difficulty of defining what is and what is not a violation of allegiance takes us back, in the final analysis, to the 14th century. Interminable litigation could ensue in chasing the somewhat vague laws of treason down the centuries.

The law of treason to-day resolves itself roughly into five definite forms of treason. All of them deal with the safety of the monarch except one. The five forms of treason are; Compassing or imagining the death of the King, Queen or Prince of Wales. Levying war against the King or adhering to his enemies in his realm, giving his enemies aid or comfort, in the realm or elsewhere. Violating the chastity of the Queen, the wife of the Prince of Wales or the King’s eldest daughter, being unmarried. Slaying the Chancellor, the Treasurer or the Justices of the Benches of Assize, of Oyer and Terminer, being in their places, doing their offices. Questioning the title to the throne of Great Britain under the Act of Settlement of 1700. In addition there are a host of other offences called “treason felonies." These are concerned with actions evincing an intention to commit treason. “Treasonable misdemeanours” are, moreover, further side issues. The last-named consist of acts calculated to endanger the Sovereign, such as pointing firearms or discharging explosives, oi- threats against the stability of the Crown. » • •

One can hardly believe that farmers in Britain will have the patience to wait another 60 years before the tithe problem is settled, as mentioned in the news recently. A sum totalling £3,000,000 a year is paid by the farmers of Britain as a special tithe tax. Two-thirds of it ‘goes to ecclesiastical authorities and the balance to laymeu. Speaking generally, the tithe is a tax levied on the farming and other land of England for the support of the clergy of the Established Church. Up to about 100 years ago every landowner handed over to the local parson a tenth part of the produce of the soil. The custom was so well established there was a tithe bin in many parishes to hold the corn handed over. Payments in kind were abolished in 1836. and a money payment substituted. Until a few years ago the payment was on a sliding scale. It was based on the current price of wheat and com. In 1925 the sliding scale was abolished. Tithes were based on prices ruling at that time, plus an annual charge whereby tithes would be extinguished in 85 years. Incidentally, the tithes paid by other professions and crafts fell into abeyance over a century ago, leaving the farmer to carry the burden.

What is causing tithe trouble today is the fact that since the fixed price for tithes was introduced in 1925 prices have fallen, yet farmers have to pay the same sum in tithes. The thought that his great-granchildreu will have no tithes to pay is little comfort. The farmer contends that the £70,000,000 he is being forced to find in 85 years is for the endowment of a church in which the whole community is interested. The present law has become more or less unworkable. County Court judges realise that they cannot make orders for distraint effective. There is undoubtedly sympathy for the farmers, because it has been shown that iu some eases the whole of the profits of farming goes to pay tithes. Indeed, some farmers are paying tithes ou land that has been washed into the sea long ago. There are farms in Suffolk where tithes run away with eight shillings for every acre. It makes the land almost unsaleable. Indeed, in some cases it has been shown that the farmer selling ought to pay the purchaser £4 an acre to “buy” the land.

There is the Church’s side of the tithe business, and it is only fair to present it. Country parsons are hard hit these days. Money for them must be found if they are to carry on with (heir duties. The very livelihood of thousands of poor incumbents depends at the moment upon money collected in tithes. Often tithes are the only endowment of the benefice. The Church, however, is always prepared to do all that is possible to mitw.-He hard eases regarding tithes payments. Iu two years concessions amounting to nearly £50,000 have been made, involving nearly 44000 cases. The Government, which has to mediate between the farmer who cannot pay tithes and the clergy who cannot exist without them, has a nice knot to cut. At a time when Britain was nearly 100 per cent, farming, tithes fell more or less fairly on the community. To-day, when Britain is nearly 100 per cent, industrial, the farmer is called upon to carry an unfair share of this form of taxation. The problem, therefore, resolves itself into finding a fairer method of raising some £3,000,000 a year for the Established Church.