CRIPPLING DEATH DUTIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20959, 24 February 1930, Page 6

CRIPPLING DEATH DUTIES.

DUKE TO SELL TREASURES. “NO OTHER COURSE.” (Fltosr Our Own Correspondent.) . LONDON, January 9. Heavy death duties and taxation generally are falling -heavily, especially upon the great, land owners of Great Britain. An evidence of this is the announcement that the Duke of Richmond and Gordon intends to dispose of portion of his famous art collections and libraries at Goodwood House. Sussex, and at 'Gordon Castle .hia Scottish seat • In a letter which has been published, the duke explains his reasons for this step. In consequence of the heavy succession duties and the increasing taxation which has to be met by persons situated as I am, more especially land owners, I find,’’ he says, “ that there is no other course open to me if I wish to continue to live at Goodwood and to employ those 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 w6rld famous, but there are at Goodwood House innumerable other works by such masters as Van Dyck. Rubens, Veronese, Salcotor Rosa, Canaletto, Lely, Romney, Kncller. Gainsborough. Lawrence, and Raeburn,

TASK OF 250 YEARS. 1 The library boasts many treasures, and there is also the famous Gobelin tapestry presented by Louis XV to the third duke. It has taken the family nearly 250 years to build -up this wonderful collection. ■} n last year racing trophies won by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon were sold by auction in London. MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES. Commenting on the news, the Corning Irost Tnat is an aspect of the present enpp iti g . death duties which has not been sufficiently considered. They have often been condemned as levying capital ’' for current expenditure; but they are at least equally exceptionable as denuding the country of a kind of wealth which can never be 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 ihe possession of- them is a part of the u i tu XB we y aa national riches, .it bestows a dignity of its own; and we are rapidly, under the duress of the tax gatherer, losing that dignity. As a nation, we are in the position of Charles *° cov e r his extravagances. I° iiL family Portraits; but we ore selling them, not to a benevolent Uncle UndeSamV t 0 3 greedl,y acquisitive