THE DEATH DUTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 13

THE DEATH DUTIES.

Special— By Telegraph— Copyright.

London, June 13

Sir W. V. Harcourt, in the House of Commons, Baid it was only proposed to tax property in the colonies already taxable under the legacy succession duty, but no higher taxation would have to'be paid. He was perfectly prepared to come to a thoroughly good understanding with the colonies, and had no idea of forcing taxation on them independently of their own Legislatures. Sir W. V. Harcourt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, expressed surprise at anyone comparing the legacy duty to the Boston tea duties, which led to the American revolution. He considered the parallel absurd and unworthy of notice. June 14. The Duke of Devonshire contended that owing to the inevitable demands of democratic finance heirs to estates would eventually be required to pay duties amounting to 10 or 12 years' income. The Duke of Devonshire, in a remarkable speech,* implied that democratic Budgets would compel landowners to make great changes in their expenditure, and close great country housss like his own seat at Chatswortb. Sir W. V. Harcourt has asked for a personal conference with the Agents-general on the question of death duties. The Agents-geqeral are arranging to interview Sir W. V. Harcourt re tbe death dutieis.

The Solicitor-general, speaking at Dumfries, denied that the Chancellor had been driven to confer witn the Agents-general.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to Mr Hogan, said he did not desire to connect the death duties with the raising of money for naval defence. His remarks bad been misunderstood. Sir J. G. BadenPowell suggested that Sir W. V. Harcourt should adopt a system of reciprocal deduction of death duties. < June 16. The colonial Agents-general have had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer respecting the death duties. Sir Wm. Harcourt strongly maintained the right of the Imperial Government to levy death duties on property held in the colonies by persons domiciled in England, but said he was willing to discuss the question of a modification. He objected to the South Australian plan of reciprocity, as it would, he said, involve differential treatment.

The Australian Agents-general denied the I legality of the tax, but in the event of the I Onarjcellor insisting on its being imposed then reciprocity was the best compromise. Sir William Harcoart thanked the Agentsgeneral for expressing their views on the matter, and he explained that the conference was not to be regarded as an official one. He suggested a further meeting, and the Agentsgeneral agreed. The Chancellor intimating that the House of Commons did not intend to finally discuss the clause until the bill reached the report stage. June 17. Lord Carringtcn, in a letter ia the Standard, points out that the Budget imposes a probate duty on colonial stocks, which hitherto have been exempt. June 18. Sir G. S. Baden-Powell has given notice to move an amendment in cause 9 of the Death Duties Bill embodying the principle of reciprocity in estate duties. . Mr Edward Dicey, the well-known journalist, in a letter in The Times condemns the estate duty proposed by Sir W. V. Harcourt as an entirely new and unjust charge.

The Times, commenting on the agitation against the duty, expresses a h^pe that the British Government will not risk tbe illfeeling of the colonies for the sake of a paltry accession to the revenue

The Times bdieves that the colonies "will not take -Sir William Hai court's' blunders regarding the death duties seriously.

in his letter to the Times Pro r essor Dicey (not E.lward Dicey as first telpgraphtd) heMs that ucd-r tbe Ebtate Du-ies Bill colonists may bo domiciled in Eugland, although they have never lived there.