3 OCTOBER 1931, Page 14

THE " BURDEN ON INDUSTRY "

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In your footnote to my letter of last week, in respect to the " burden on industry," you suggest the industrialist must make more gross profits in order to make the same living for himself, if he is heavily taxed. In that case not only is there no " burden on industry," but there is no sacrifice

either on behalf of the country. .

Regarding Schedule A tax, I cannot agree it deserves all I said of the rates. Schedule A Income Tax is' bound, under a penalty. of £50, to be allowed by the landlord out of the first payment made on account of rent. This is not so with regard to rates. The Schedule A tax is one on rent, not on industry ! I am afraid the industrialists have had a bad time, but not on account of Income Tax.—I am, Sir, &c., [(1) Would our correspondent prefer that this' taxation borne by the industrialist should be defined as a " burden of discouragement " to industry ? (2) Schedule A. _tax is a burden on freehold property. The largest industrial tax- payers do not generally rent their sites.—En. Spectator.]