THE DEATH DUTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 13

THE DEATH DUTIES.

Special— By Telegraph— Copyright. London, June 19. Many members of the House of Commons ■ express themselves confident that Chancellor Harcouit will not insist on colonists paying the death duties twice. However, should he insist, Sir R. E. Webster intends to move a \ clause which will raise the entire question as between Great Britain and her colonies. The Daily News says Sir W. V. Harcourt will probably agree to a compromise on the estate duty question on a reciprocal basis. Jane 21. Chancellor Harcourt stated in the House of Commons that he would accept the principle of Sir R. E. Webster's amendment preventing the imposition of double duties, but that relief should be confined to colonies i which reciprocate. Sir William Harcourt added that he was drafting a clause to meet the difficulty. Sir R. E. Webster and Sir Baden-Powell approve of this course. . Jane 22. Sir W. V. Harcourt said tbat where the colonies charged estate duty tbe amount would be deducted when a similar abatement was conceded to Great Britain. H9 also j explained that property in colonies liable to other taxation would ba exempted from estate duties. ' I The Times says it will be surprised if the concession made by Sir W. V. Harcourt disarms the resentment of tbe colonies. As the matter now stands the original demand is enforced unless valuable consideration is paid for its removal. It also regrets Sir W. V. Harcourt's attempt to secure reciprocity on the cheap. Sir W.Y. Harcourt said he did not pronose to collect taxeß in the colonie3, but to aollect from British executors the duties on cssets under their control. No deduction would be granted to foreign countries. The Times advises the colonies to look narrowly at the Chancellor's proposed reciprocity. It does not remove the sting of asserting the right to impose taxation on them. Professor Dicey contends domicile is one of the worst tests of liability to taxation. The colonies have a real grievance, and are now learcir.g to act unitedly against Great Britain. June 23. The House of Commons in Committee has, by a majority of 47, sanctioned the graduated estate duty reaching 8 per cent, when the value of the estate is over a million. The Daily Chronicle regrets that the colonies do not propose the imposition of a heavy tax on absentees, and states that the Chancellor's concession regarding the death duties closes a promising avenue of British revenue. The St. James's Gazette considers the Chancellor of the Exchequer has climbed down with regard to the death duties. The Agents-general of the colonies reserve tbeir assent to the Chancellor's compromise respecting the death duties pending their learning the exact terms of the amendment, and they have plainly assured Sir William Harcourt tbat he has no right to tax property situated in the colonies. The Agents-general fear that acceptance ot the compromise will admit the principle of the J scheme.