TAXES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue I, 6 July 1895, Page 4

TAXES.

The house tax in Greece brings four hundred thousand dollars a year. Russia raises one million five hundred thousand dollars a year by the sale of passports. In the time of Queen Anne soap was taxed one hundred and forty dollars a ton. A tax on dogs was levied in Rome during the reign of Nero.

The rate of taxation has nearly quadrupled in France since 1830. A hearth tax was formerly assessed in many of the German States.

The soap duty in Holland brings seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year to the Government. Holland is the only country in Europe that admits coffee free from duty. In Portugal the tobacco tax brings four millions five hundred thousand dollars ; the land tax three million five hundred thousand. Germany pays ten million dollars a year taxes on salt and thirteen million dollars on sugar. In parts of Peru taxes are paid in cocoa leaves and Peruvian bark. The Australians pay fifty million dollars in taxes to support their government. Until about forty years ago the Persian Government levied a tax on cats. The French people pay over ten million dollars a year taxes on their windows. The taxes of the people of America equal about ten dollars to each inhabitant. In the early days of Virginia and Carolina colonies taxes were paid in tobacco. The capi ation or poll tax is believed to have been the earliest form of taxation. During the fourteenth century in Italy a tax was levied on every one who wore shoes. Custom duties on imports were collected in England by Kthelred 11., as early as 979. The mention ot any sort of taxation in Greek history is a tax levied by Solon, B c. 540. The extraordinary enthusiasm to which a London audience may be worked up is hardly conceivable to anyone who has not been present, say, at a Rubinstein, Sarasate, or a Paderewski recital. The last-named pianist on one occasion cau ed such excitement by his wonderful playing that he was was simply mobbed by a cro.wd of ladies who invaded the platform. Punch took advantage of this incident to produce a highly amusing sketch representing Paderewski seated at the piano, protected from a possible onslaught by four typical English policemen. When Rubinstein gave his last cycle of recitals in London some eight years ago, crowds of people took possession of the steps of St. James’ Hall and waited patiently there some four or five hours before the doors were opened.