THE INCOME TAX AND LARGE FAMILIES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") Sne,—As the father of a very large family, nine of whom are entirely dependent on me, I was obliged to actually borrow money to pay my Income Tax last month, to avoid legal proceedings, and I am therefore much interested in your issue of April 15th, and would like to ask how you propose bringing the genuine grievances of the middle and upper classes to the notice of the Government. Members of Parliament will not interest themselves at all in the matter ; at any rate, that is my experience, and I have asked more than one. My income would be a handsome one for a bachelor, but for me it is im- possible to educate my children, eight of whom are at school, and pay the heavy expenses of illness, and keep my position free of debt ; and this in spite of the fact that I have resigned my club, discontinued all amusements, wines, &e., and gone without new clothes since the war started. With fifteen people in my household, even the modest mutton chop is an expensive dinner for a man with my income of about £1,000 gross (before paying Income Tax, rates, rent, &c.). For a long time I have felt that the class I belong to will becoine extinct in twenty-five years' time, unless some relief is given. Either our children must leave Public Schools and go to Board Schools, or else the birth-rate must decline at an alarming rate.—I am, Sir, &c., A JUSTICE OP THE PEACE.
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