As Others See Us

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 5, 3 July 1946, Page 7

As Others See Us

“MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRY” LOW TAXES IN BRAZIL Now Zealand - Is the most expensive country I have been in. It is even more expensive than Australia,” said Dr. Mario Santos, Brazilian Consul in Sydney, in a talk at the luncheon of the Hutt Valley Junior Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday. “Salaries are smaller in Brazil than in New Zealand, but relatively people get a great deal more. What you do with £1 here can be done with 10/- in Brazil.” “Taxes in Brazil are very small,” said Dr. Santos. “My salary is £5600 a year, on which I pay a tax of £72.” Private Enterprise Encouraged Other points in Dr. Santos’ address were: —• The Brazilians are a mixture of all the races of Europe—Portuguese, Spanish, Italians, Germans, etc. The Brazilian Government owns only the Telegraph and Post Office services. Trains, trains, light, gas. etc , are run by private companies. Brazil is very democratic. A person who accepts a title loses his nationality. The president is plain Mr. Everyone is equal. There are no taxes for water or sanitary services. These are taken care of by the municipalities. The most powerful power in Brazil is justice. The Supreme Court can suspend and oust the President. There is absolute free trade in Brazil and the importation of goods is encouraged. The Customs duties are very low. No Divorce “In Brazil we have no divorce. There are only two grounds lor annulment,” said Dr. Santos. “One is where it is impossible for a married couple to have cTmdren. The other is when husband or wife suffers from an incurable contagious disease. Three times the Goverhment brought forward a bill providing for divorce, and Three times fs»e Government was defeated.” TStiUgh thousands of Brazilians of Italian and German descent fought for the Allies in the Brazilian Army there was not one case of treason. Women play a big part in the public life of Brazil —in the diplomatic service, in Congress, ancl as lawyers and doctors. The Government hospitals are marvellous, and everywhere —in cities, towns and villages—there are clinics, at which doctors and dentists give part of their' time for the benefit of the poor.