PASHA AND HIS TAXES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 9 April 1910, Page 6

PASHA AND HIS TAXES.

DISTRAINT ON PRESIDENT OF

THE SENATE

The Turkish authorities have lately been showing considerable energy in the collection of arrears of taxation, and particularly of the property tax. It is estimated that the arrears on account of this tax, in Constantinople alone, amount to over £T. 5,000,000. Said Pasha, a former Grand Vizier, and at present President of the Senate, is a wealthy property owner, and owes large arrears of taxation on his property. On the other hand, as an oldestablished Government official, he has claims on the Treasury for arrears or salary for an even greater amount. Probably with a view to serving as i an object lesson to the world at large lof the impartial methods of the new regime, Said Pasha has been singled out as one of the first victims to be proceeded against on account of his arrears of taxes. The old pasha had already informed the authorities of his willingness to settle his arrears with salary bills, and he repeated this proposal, which, of course, the Treasury refused to entertain. . Finally, brokers, accompanied by police, paid a visit to Said Pasha s residence, and, notwithstanding the protests of the pasha, seized furniture aad other articles of the value of the claim. , At the last moment the pasha gave way and signed a cheque for the sum required. .