SOME CURIOUS TAXES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 42

SOME CURIOUS TAXES.

There are many peculiar taxes in force in other countries which may engage the attention of a chancellor of the exchequer "in search of a " tax. The Russian Government, a few years ago, decided to tax kerosene oil and matches — virtually a tax on light. Many can remember the late Lord Sherbrooke's abortive attempt to tax matches in this country. The match girls, however, proved a match for him, and marched down to the House of Commons, a procession of protest. The match tax in France has before now caused a Ministerial crisis. In some parts of China a tax is imposed on all women entering the bonds of matrimony. Travellers to those parts are obliged to take a wife, and when they leave the ladies take fresh husbands, to the benefit of the revenue. Those who follow the advice of the late Adah Isaacs Menken, and " marry young and often," are an acquisition to such a State. In Servia vanity is taxed in the shape of ladies' bustles. In Melbourne, Christmas cards are taxed one-fifth per cent. Christmas, New Year, Easter, and birthday cards would doubtless produce an appreciable revenue in England. It has been stated that in Weimar the authorities levied a duty on musical parties. The regulations were not given, but, doubtless, solos, duets, trios, and quartets are subject to proportionate rates. Violins, cornets, and Mr Ledbury's favourite instrument — theflute— should incurspecial charges. Quite lately, an annual tax of lOfr has been imposed on pianos in France. Music has paid tribute to taxation ia other ways. A musical troupe recently crossing the frontier of Saxony carried with them a crown of laurels awarded them at a triumphal performance. The custom house officers taxed the laurels as spice. Massenet, the composer, it is related, was also charged duty on a crown of laurels on the German frontier. In his case the wreath of fame was deemed to be woven of " medicinal plants." In Montreal organ grinders pay a license of 20dol, and are only allowed to play at stated times. In Vienna they are also licansed, and regulated as to hours. In France a certificate of character, a distinctive badge, and limitation of hours is insisted upon. No licenses for street musicians have been issued for nine years in Germany. In St. Petersburg no outdoor musical performers are permitted, but in romantic Italy there is a very practical regulation excluding those under 18 years of age from the privilege of a license. In New York wandering minstrels contribute to the revenue Idol each, and are prohibited from playing within a certain distance of specified buildings or dwellings, and outside fixed hours. Barrel music in the open is not allowed to exist in sunny Spain, but " gaily the troubadour twangs his guitar," for which, however, a license is required. The State finances in Russia are recruited by a graduated income tax commencing at 1 per cent, on incomes between 1000 and 2000 roubles (a rouble equals 3s 2d), and increasing at the rate of one-tenth per cent, on every additional thousand or fraction of a thousand roubles. A duty of a quarter-kopeck (about onetenth of a penny) is also imposed on the eggs of all kinds of poultry, which tax on food realises several millions of roubles. Cycles are subject to a tax of 8s in France, and of a similar amount in Brabant. — Temple Bar.