TAXATION IN TURKEY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 142, 16 June 1906, Page 15

TAXATION IN TURKEY.

The Constantinople correspondent of The Times writes on the Bth April: — A commission has been sent to Erze- ! rum in order to enquire into the causes of the recent disturbance, to find out the ■ grievances of the people, and to suggest remedies. According to the latest accounts "tranquillity has been completely restored, but it would be a mistake to under-estimate 'the importance of the affair as a symptom of the discontent among <the proverbially patient Turkish population. The immediate cause of the outbreak seems to have been the attempt to collect a new tax on domestic animals, but the real reasons lie probably much deeper. It is stated that the malcontents seized tho telepraph office and wired direct to Yildiz complaining not only of the new taxes, but^of maladministration and corruption on the part of the officials. The fact that the Vali has been changed seems to indicate -that the authorities are endeavouring to appease the peoplo by concessions. The whole story bears an ominous resemblance to the outbreak a few months ago at Kastamuni, where resentment at the imposition of new taxes took such a violent form that the Vali had to savo himself by flight. The resemblance is further ominous as proving the spread of the new spirit, in Turkey. It is not quite unprecedented for the Turks to resist the authority of the Government and to refuse to pay taxes. It may be that the disturbances at Kastamuni and Erzerum are an echo of the disorders in Russia, or it may be that the inefficiency and dishonesty of the officials have, become a burden too great even for the patient Turk to bear ' without jibbing. But whatever may be the cause, there can be no doubt that if these examples prove infectious the Porte will be confronted by difficulties greater than those winch have arisen in connection with the disaffection of Christian subject races. It is worth noting that the new taxes which have been the direct cause of the outbreaks at Ka*.taimmi and Erzerum have been imposed at the suggestion of Palace officials against the advice of the responsible Ministers. Among the fresh burdens introduced in thia way during the last few years may be mentior-sd tho Hcdjaa stamp duty, the increase ir tho price of salt, lho tax on domestic animals, and the poll tax. The latest addition has been a duty on the registration of documents in addition to the existing stamp dues. S l

Smithkins : I called on that doctor you recommcrded yesterday. Siomun : Did you tell hiui I sent you? Smithklnts Yes. Siomun : What did ho say? Smithkins: Ho said, in the circumstances, be would expect me to pay in advonoo