DUKE'S TREASURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

DUKE'S TREASURES.

SALE OF A PORTION.

CRIPPLING DEATH DbJTIES

"NO OTHER COURSE OPEN."

Heavy death duties and taxation generally are falling heavily, especially upon the great landowners of' Great Britain. An evidence of this is, the announcement that the Duke of Pvichmond and Gordon intends to dispose of a portion of his famous art collections and libraries at Goodwood House, Sussex, and at Gordon Castle, his Scottish seat. In a letter which has been published the duke explains his reasons for this stop. "In consequence of the heavy succession duties and the increasing taxation which lias to bo met by persons situated as I am, more especially landowners, I find," be says, "that there is no other courso open to me if I wish to continue to live at Goodwood and to employ thoso who are connected with the estate." No choice has yet been made of the part of the collection to be dispersed. It is improbable that the duke will sell the family portraits, which are world-famous,' but there arc at Goodwood llouso innumerable other works by such masters as Van Dyck, Rubens, Veronese, Salcator Rosa, Canalctto, Lely, Romncy, Kneller, Gainsborough, Lawrence and Raeburn.

The library boasts many treasures, and there is "also the famous Gobelin tapestry presented by Louis XV.-. to.iho.third: duke* It has taken the family nearly 250 years to build up this wonderful collection. In January last year racing trophies ..won by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon wero sold bv auction in London.

Commenting on the news, the Morning

Post says:— "That is an aspect of the present crippling death duties which has not been sufficiently considered. - Uiey have often been condemned us levying capital for current expenditure; hut they are at least equally exceptionable as denuding the country" of a- kind-of wealth-which can never In* replaced—-a kind of wealth that, according to Ruskin, is more precious than rubies or than much gold and silver. The artistic and historic treasures which our great houses have preserved- are not less national assets than family heirlooms. The possession of them is a part of tho national culture as well as of the national riches; it bestows a dignity of its own; and wo are rapidly, under the duress of the taxgatherer, losing that dignity. As a nation, we arc in the position of Charles Surface, who, to cover his extravagances, sold the family portraits; but wo are selling them, not to a benevolent Uncle Oliver, but to a greedily acquisitive Uncle Sam."