Taxing the Scillonians
A correspondent writes: Naturally, that whim of Mr. Butler's logic to tax the Scilly islanders has greatly disconcerted most of them and secretly pleased not a few. Like islanders everywhere else, the ScilIonians are cautious and practical, that is to say, mercenary folk. They discount the fey and legendary, the blessed and idyllic in their reputation, but they have never minded being irregular in the matter of income-tax. Or, indeed, in other matters. They pray apocryphally " not that wrecks should happen, but that if any wrecks should happen Thou wilt guide them into the Scilly Isles for the benefit of the poor inhabitants." Nowadays wrecks and subsistence farming have been replaced in their economy by flowers and tourists. Life is very equable. Hardly anyone keeps accounts serious enough for income-tax purposes. No one knows how much he will have to pay. The flower-growers and hotel-keepers are preparing for the worst, so their profits are probably high. The boat-owners, whose profits are certainly high, have their hands in their pockets and their tongues in their cheeks. One or two hotheads talk of leaving; a farmer, a merchant. Others have determined that paying tax they will be able to seek Treasury grants with a lighter heart.
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