NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—I have read, and no doubt others will read, the article in the Spectator on the question of new taxes with considerable interest and very general agreement; but, as the writer says, the practical question is what are the new sources of revenue open to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I would add certain advan- tages and objections to the sources proposed in the Spectator and ethers which are not mentioned. I cannot agree that the proposal to tax all those who are not fighting at the front would be either fair or equitable for several reasons: (1) The Prime Minister has frequently told us that men employed in making munitions are as necessary to winning the war as those who are fighting our
battles abroad, and so are those engaged in agriculture at present. (2) There are a large number of invalided and disabled men who volunteered to enlist in the Army and service battalions as well as in the Territorial battalions who have done their bit of fighting and are now in this country; and what about our women workers in the hospitals, munition works, canteens, and War Committees —are they all to be taxed? By all means tax luxurious expendi- ture, but not patriotic and useful men and women!
On the other hand I heartily support your proposal to increase the tax on men-servants and to put a graduated tax on female servants, as well as on gas and electricity, and if it could be done on luxurious and unnecessary railway travelling. But it must be remembered that if all railway fares are increased it will fall very hard on those who are doing a great deal of unremunerated work, especially in the larger counties, at considerable loss of time and expense both on county business and War Committees. By all means let the tax on dogs be increased, and also a tax be put on cats, both of which would be very remunerative as well as economical, and there can be no objection to raise revenue by taxes on jewellery and luxurious clothing.
But are there no other sources of revenue? Why should not all horses not used in agriculture and trade in harness be taxed? Those who can afford to keep riding-horses can afford to pay the tax for them as they now do for their servants and their dogs, whilst hunters and racehorses are pure luxury, especially in war time. I would exempt all brood-mares of all classes and young horses under four years old unless they were broken and trained for racing, steeple-chasing, or hurdle-racing. I also think that the regulations as to sugar should be revised and sugared con- fectionery be heavily taxed. Of course, no one likes more taxa- tion, but if there is to be more revenue raised then let unnecessary luxuries be taxed, and especially avoid increasing taxation on those with decreased incomes when the cost of living is rapidly increasing; whilst at the same time it must be borne in mind that more taxation may affect other means by which the Govern- ment are now obtaining revenue as well as capital through Exchequer bonds and war savings and in other ways.—I am,