GERMANY'S OPPORTUNITY.
[To TIER EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.1 SIR,—Under the above heading a recent cablegram from Berlin states: "The British Government had almost reached the limit of indirect taxation," also that, " Germany's taxable reserves were greater and more inexhaustible than those of Britain." The revenue derived from indirect taxation in the United Kingdom amounts to less than thirty shillings per head. In this Dominion (New Zealand) the same tax runs to seventy shillings for each individual ; therefore it is evident that from excise and customs the limit for Britain has not been touched. England has not as yet discovered the necessity for sending round the hat to collect contributions towards the Royal Navy, but, should such need arise, doubtless the gentlemen who draw incomes (over 2200) amounting in the aggregate to 21,250,833,766 per annum will not allow the " Billy " to pass empty. England has fifteen million overseas whites willing to subscribe ten shillings per head as an absolutely extra insurance for safety. The Indian Empire, with its three hundred million inhabitants and its countless wealth of accumulated treasure, might well be asked to secure herself against the raids of hungry debtor nations by a con. tribution of one shilling per head, which would amount to 215,000,000. This, added to the overseas donation, would aggregate 222,500,000, or nearly half the amount at present put up by the British taxpayer.—I am, Sir, &c., Auckland, New Zealand: Tune 91h. H. JOHNSON.
Previous page
