GERMAN TAXATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 122, 21 November 1908, Page 5

GERMAN TAXATION.

» BILL INTRODUCED IN THE REICHSTAG. \ Bj Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copjriuhtr. BERLIN, 20th November. Prince Bulow, Imperial Chancellor, yesterday introduced a Bill in tho Reichstag to raise £25,000,000 by additional taxation. He defended the increase of the navy, owing to Germany's rapid economic expansion, and believed that British mistrust and antagonism were not unconquerable. There was no imminent danger of war if coolness and calmness were displayed in tha conduct of affairs at home and abroad. Herr Sydow contended that Germany was well able to bear the proposed increase of taxes on beer, spirits, and tobacco, which were all much lower in Germany than in Britain. Herr Sydow, who replaced Baron Stengel as Chief of the Imperial Treasury, is little known to the general public save as a painstaking official who has done useful service both in the Post Office and in the Ministry of Education. He is 56 years old, and an intimate friend of the Chancellor. The proposed new taxes on spirits, beer, and tobacco are expected to realise £14,000,000. Beer alone is to yield £5,000,000 more than in previous years. In addition, £5,000,000 is proposed to be raised by increased legacy duty. The tax on electricity and gas is to be placed in such a manner that only the consumeis will feel it. As regards the tax on advertisements : Small advertisements, such as announcements of posts desired and vacant, births, marriages, and deaths, are to be exempt, and no tax is to be levied on advertisements in insignificant newspapers.