The French Chamber and the French Government are not perfectly
agreed as to the new taxation. M. Leon Say has carried the Chamber with him, by 265 against 247 votes, in proposing to exempt agricultural houses not worth more than 50 fr. a year (say, 91d. a week,—are there really rural labourers' houses in France worth so little ?) from the House-tax. But the Budget Committee have replied that this will involve the sacrifice of no less than £140,000 a year (3,500,000 fr.), and under these circumstances the Government recom- mended to the Budget Committee to suspend the reform of the Land and House Taxes. The Budget Committee, however, did not acquiesce in this postponement, and the French Chamber, though, like the English House of Com- mons, it appears to be exceedingly impatient to disperse, is doing all it can to hamper the passing of the new House-tax, having at the last moment reduced it from 4 to 3.2 per cent. Probably the Senate will insist on returning to the old duty, and leaving the increase of duty to another Session. It will be news to English politicians that so much as £140,000 could be received from a house-tax of 4 per cent. on houses renting only for 9id. a week.
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