CAPITAL LEVY

Evening Star, Issue 18142, 5 December 1922, Page 9

CAPITAL LEVY

INCITEMENT IN SWITZERLAND. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. GENEVA, December 4. (Received December 5, at 9.10 a.m.; The referendum on the proposal to make a levy of from 8 to .16 per cent, on all fortunes over 80,000 francs aroused the greatest excitement throughout the country. The frontiers were specially guarded for a fortnight before the poll in orde-rto prevent the entry of foreign revolutionaries, In view of a Communist threat to cal; a general strike on polling day, the Government announced that in that event it would mobilise the army, thus calling out a majority of the workers. Tlio civic guards would also bo held in readiness in .the events of the Communists attempting demonstrations. The polling passed off quietly.—A. and N.Z. Cable, [ln Switzerland the first step towards legislative action may he taken by means of the popular initiative, and a referendum follows. This law is frequently acted on. Every citizen of the Republic who is over twenty-one years of age is entitled to vote.] BRITISH LABOR LEADER’S VIEWS. LONDON, December 4. (.Received December 5, at 9.10 a.m.) Air Ramsay MacDonald, interviewed, 'said that the Swiss levy scheme was different from that of the Labor Party. “ 1 would have voted’ against it myself,” he said. “ The Swiss aim was to use the levy as the basis of an old age and incapacity -insurance scheme. A levy wan ,only justifiable to reduce debt and taxation.’’ Mr dynes stated: “Notwithstanding |iho Swiss decision, I believe the levy question in any country ought to bo -decided by referendum.” —A. and l N.Z. Cable.