The Merthyr Express

CAPITAL AND THE NEW TAXATION. A CONSIDERABLE number of bankers and mer- chants of London sent a letter to the Prime Minister last week, in which they protested against those particular features of the Budget which, in their opinion, were calculated to injuriously affert capital, and particularly those capital interests which are centered in London. The letter was not signed by all the bankers and merchants of the metropolitan city—on the contrary it was a comparatively small number-and some of the newspapers which contained the letter on Saturday also contained an emphatic declaration from other firms engaged in financial business that it was a good Budget, and both fair and just. The protesting bankers objected that the appropriation of normal surpluses to a Development Fund, available for any purpose at the discretion of Parliament, instead of applying them auto- matically to the reduction of the national debt, would inevitably tempt future Governments and Parliaments to underestimate the income from different taxes, in order to ensure an abnormal surplus with which to inaugurate new departments of expenditure. They also thought that the increase of the income tax, and es- pecially the super-tax, would have a tendency to cause a shrinkage of financial business in London and drive capital abroad. With regard to these two objections, the first has a sound of plausibility, but seeing the invariable disin- .a -] clination ot Governments ana Parliaments to imposed new taxes until they are absolutely unavoidable, they will hardly be likely tJ rush into new channels of expenditure for the mere purpose of spending surpluses, without con- sidering the claims of the taxpayers to relief by the reduction of taxes or their total abolition. The threatened flight of capital to foreign countries is not by, any means a new cry, and a very cursive survey of the situation in foreign countries must produce the conviction that it is an empty cry. The London County Council Loan, issued in the midst of these jeremiads, was subscribed for ten times over. So much for the flight of capital from England. MB. AsQxrrrH answered the letter in the course of a speech in the House of Commons, on Monday night. The objectors to the Budget, he said, admitted that, with an enormously increased national expenditure, made up of items for which, in their aggregate, aU clapsea had clamoured, fresh taxation was inevitable, and they were prepared to pay their share. But how were they to pay their share except through the income tax, which levied its per- centages upon the profits derived from the I smployment of their capital. Were capitalists ireated worse in this respect in Great Britain than in France or Germany. In the former country income of 1:4000 a year had to pay a ax of Is. 5d. in the pound, against Is. 2d. in ■au4 inlaws of a year 1 paid Is. 7d., which practically was the same as the proposed new tax here. In Prussia- .th principal state of the German Empire,—it was 2s. in the pound upon all incoms over £ 5,000. Capital could not, therefore, hope to find an easier resting place in those two countries than in our own. The fact is, that this outcry agaipst the imposition of an unjust burden upon capital has no substantia1, basis. Sixteen millions of money has to be raised, and it cannot be allocated to any one or two classes of taxpayers. Care has been taken to keep the burden off foods that constitute the life of the people, and in that way to save industries from fresh burdens; but. their luxuries have been taxed anew, and through drink and tob cco they will pay. A portion ~be<?n. obtained by reducing the rate of reduction of the national debt; another portion comes from augmented death duties, without seriously increasing the burden upon parents or children succeeding to property; a further portion is got from the unearned increment of land values; something from stamps; and a substantial share from people who have incomes that can stand the additional drain upon them. No alternative scheme has been propounded by the Unionist, leaders. All that they have proposed as a counter scheme is the vague generality of broadening the base," by Tariff Reform-which means a return to the system discarded sixty years ago— and the taxation of almost every article entering into the life of the people. The Ministerial scheme disturbs nothing. It is a mere expansion of existing sources of income, without a shock to the country—which is proved by the extra- ordinary revival of confidence in the money market, evidenced by the transactions in loans, stocks and share.?. The other would be a backward revolution of unknown consequences to trade and commerce and the well-being of the people.

GOSSIP. The report of the Local Government Board Auditor (Mr. M. D. Propert) on the accounts of the Merthyr Corporation, for the year ended March 31st, 1908, has now been made public. It came before a special meeting of the General Purposes Committee-which consists of the whole Council—on Monday, and instructions were given for it to be printed, and a copy supplied to each member of the Council. The full text is given in another page, and also a report of the short discussion which followed the reading of the document A lengthy discussion had previously taken place, respecting a surcharge on the Overseers, and Councillors were evidently not in the mood, on Monday afternoon, for going fully into Mr. Propert's report. The Auditor's remarks, however, call for very serious consideration, and it is to be hoped his recommendations as to the keeping and checking of accounts will be adopted. Had there been a proper system of supervising financial matters, doubtless many of the irregu- larities to which Mr. Propsrt calls attention would not have taken place. It is not necessary here to refer to the many points mentioned in the report. One can only hope that there will be no further cause for ratepayers to appear before; the Auditor to raise objections. That there was gpod ground for objecting at the audit in question is Irmply borne out by e report. Had Mr. Mann, the President of the Ratepayers' Association, not attended the audit last year, it is possible that some of the matters dealt with in the report would not have been so satisfactorily cleared up as they have been. The payments in con- nection with the incorporation enquiry are gone into at great length by the Auditor, who, it will be seen, while not making surcharges, suggests that certain witnesses should refund part of sums they received. Whether they will act on the suggestion remains to be seen. Judging by the short discussion which took place on Monday, members.of the Town Council mentioned by Mr. Propert, do not like the idea of returning any portion of the amounts which were passed by the Taxing Master. The Auditor says a strong case was made out for surcharge, but he deemed it sufficient to make the suggestion named. Perhaps something further will be said on the matter when the report comes before the next Council meeting. Not the least important part of the exhaustive report is that which deals, with the cost of education. It will be seen that the amount expended in this department has enormously increased in recent years, and the Auditor calls special attention to the fact that the cost of the maintenance of schools varies considerably. Incidentally, he alludes to the complaint that some of the non-provided schools have not been fairly treated by the authority, and admits that there is some ground for this complaint. There are many other important points raised in the report, and doubtless they will receive the careful consideration of the Town Council and the Education Authority. One cannot" but regret the want of proper ¡ supervision in the past, but it must be borne in mind that important changes have been taking place in Merthyr in recent years. First, there was the transition from an Urban District into a Municipal Borough, and then into a County Borough. These changes have meant much additional work and extra duties, and it is not surprising, therefore, that some things have been overlooked. Matters are now righting them- selves, and it remains for councillors-and officials to see that the affairs of the Corporation are put in order, and each department managed on a proper business footing. If that be done the objections raised at the audit last year, and the lengthy report of Mr. Propert, will not have been in vain. The surcharge on the Overseers, already alluded to, was in connection with the payment of t50 to Mr. Gilbert Evans for the preparation of the new valuation lists, in 1907. This sum was disallowed by the Auditor, on the ground that the salary received by the Assistant Overseer covered the work. The Overseers having appealed to the Lcoal Government Board against the surcharge, a letter was read at the meeting oj the General Purposes Com- mittee, on Monday, from the Central Authority, asking for the observations of the Town Council. It was decided, however, after a rather lengthy discussion, not to make any observations. Whether that was a wise course to take may be doubted, Opinions may differ, too, as to whether it was quite fair for the Council to adopt this attitude. When the question of having the valuation lists prepared was discussed by the Council, there was a division "of opinion as to whether Mr. Evans should receive extra re- muneration. The Council voted the money, possibly under a misapprehension as to the terms and conditions of the appointment of Mr. Evans, but, having done so, are they not equally responsible with the Overseers for the £ 50 ? Possibly, if all the circumstances had been explained, the Local Government Board would have remitted the surcharge. What the result will now. be one can ,only conjecture. If the ruling of the Auditor be upheld it will hardly be fair that the Overseers should have to bear I the whole of the responsibility. After several protracted meetings of the Sub-Committee of the Conciliation Board for South Wales and Monmouthshire, in London, to consider the position created by the coming into operation of the Eight Hours Act, it was .announecd on Tuesday that it had been agreed to make a report to the Conciliation Board, which will meet at Cardiff to-day (Friday). Although the conclusions arrived at, by the Sub-Committee have not transpired, there appears to be a general opinion that a. way will be found ont of the difficulty which has arisen. At a meeting of the Merthyr Town Council on Monday, it was reported that school picnics cannot be held at Cyfarthfa Castle grounds this year, as there is not yet any provision for a water supply. The Local Government Board having been written to respecting the appointment of Overseers for the parish of Merthyr, a letter was read at the meeting of the Board of Guardians on Saturday, from the Central- Authority, pointing out the clauses in the Poor Law Acts which deal with this matter. Mr. David Evans, who first raised the question of the legality of the Merthyr appointments, still contends that the Town Council have no right to elect more than* four, but the Clork (Mr. F. T. James) holds that the Council have the right to elect six. Ought not a plain question to be ptl,t to the Local Government Board, so as to have the matter cleared up ? The point now is as to whether the Town Council have a right to elect two Overseers to replace Churchwardens, in addition to iourl provided for under the Poor Relief Act of 1601. It would be well to explain the cir- cunjstances to the Local Government Board, j and obtain a definite ruling. If there be any; doubt as to the legality of the present appoint. ments it ought to be removed, as the point would be almost certain to be raised in case of an assessment appeal at the Quarter Sessions. In another column a correspondent enters a mild protest against the system of soliciting subscriptions in Mountain Ash schools for testimonials, wreaths, &c. Attention having been called to the matter, doubtless it will be enquired into by the Education Committee. No one, I think. will object to teachers making a presentation to a colleague who is ing, but if what our correspondent alleges be true the practice at Mountain Ash is carr;?'l too far. # The advice tendered that taxpayers should decline to fill the income-tax forms now being delivered throughout the country by the assessors becausc there are no columns in these old forms" to claim the contemplated allowances for children, is mischievous in the extreme. By declining to fill up the now issued the taxpayer will lose :—(]) His abatement, (2) his allowance for expenses, etc.4 (3) the right to the 9d. rate on earned" income, and (4) will render himself liable to 0.. mulcted for the penalties provided for not making the usual return. To meet these cases of Family Abatements there will be issued later on—and following the usual precedents— Supplementary Forms of Abatement; and these much-appreciated reliefs—first suggested by the "Great Commoner," William Pitt, in 1798—will be duly granted. Similar difficulties arose, and were met in 1907, when the Finance Bill differentiating between earned and un- earned income was adumbrated in the Budget of Mr. Asquith. Until the Finance Bill has become an Act the Board of Inland Revenue cannot legally issue forms of abatement in respect of children. It is not expected that the Finance Bill will emerge from Parliament as aj) Act before the middle or towards the end 01 August at the earliest, but as soon as these abatements are legalised the necessary forms will be promptly issued and the reliefs granted. All the necessary preliminary steps have been taken to provide for these abatement forms being promptly issued as soon as the necessary change in the law has been made, and a liberal time limit for the return of the forms will bl allowed in order that the taxpayers may duJ) receive the benefits now extended. Sir Marchant Williams came down pretty Severely on his magisterial colleagues at the Merthyr police-court, on Tuesday. Having been informed that at an occasional court the previous day the Borough Justices imposed a fine of .5110 and costs upon a man for being drunk and disorderly, the Stipendiary expressed great surprise. He added; "I cannot have fines varied. I cannot have it said that when the Stipendiary is here a large fine is inflicted, and when he is not here a ridiculous fine is indicted. If a man is guilty of being drunk and disorderly a fine of 10s. and costs is a proper one to fix.11 Sir Marchant went further. He said If this thing goes on I won't have cases tried at aU except on days when I am here. I don't care how long I have to stay. There is nothing like certainty of punishment. It is the only waj to correct people." The Magistrates on the Bench at the occasional court, on Monday, were the Mayor (Alderman At Wilson) and Mr. Rhys Davies. » Mr. Joseph Chamberlain arrived in London, on Monday, from the Continent. He was stated 'to be decidedly stronger than before he went away. His return to Westminster would be heartily welcomed by all parties; the House of Commons has not been like the same place without Mr. Chamberlain. The quarterly return of births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales, which was issued on Monday night, shows that the tendency still is for the birth rate to decline. During the first quarter of the year the births registered num- bered 229,074, and were in the proportion oi 26.0 annually per 1,000 of the popularity. This is 2.4 per 1,000 below the mean birth rate in tho ten preceding first quarters, and is the lowes birth rate recorded iir any first quarter since the establishment of civil registration. The lowest birth rates during the quarter were 18.3 in Carnarvonshire and 18.6 in Sussex, and the highest 35.4 in Glamorganshire and 37.2 in Monmouthshire. While the average birth-rate is steadily declining, it is satisfactory to learn that the death rate is declining, too. During the first three months of the year the deaths registered in England and Wales numbered 160,657, being in the proportion of 18.2 annually per 1,000 pereonsliVlllg and 0.2 per 1.000 below the mean rate in the ten preceding first quarters. The'death rates ranged from 14.8 in Essex and 15.1 in Kent to 20.2 in Warwickshire and 20.8 in Shropshire. There was a substantial de. crease in the infantile mortality rate, the deaths being equal to 122 per loob, or 13 per 1,000 lesa than the average in the ten preceding first quarters. Since the Registrar-General's report for tha first quarter of the year was issued, the annual summary for last year has been published. This states that there was a slight increase in the birth-rate for England and Wales com- pared with 1907, though the figure was stDi below the average for the preceding ten years. Broken Hill,'Australia, has a Labour Mayor- a rough diamond. Since he was made head oi the city (says the" Sydney Bulletin ") Council meetings have become quaint affairs. But, Mr. Mayor," one mildly-protesting alderman started, the other day. Here, none of that funny business," said Sir. Mayor—" none ol your Worships or Mr. Mayors for me. He proceeded to show that he was going to practise what he preached by addressing his Council as You blokes," and that has now settled down to be the general form of address. ,8 A female assistant relieving officer is to be appointed for the Merthyr Union. In thia connection the Rector of Dowlais has given notice of his intention to ask for a return of thfl new offices yhich have recently been created by the Board. < 'T-. Major Baden-Powell made an amusing reference at a London dinner to the storied of spies who knew every inch of our country. He said he asked a foreign officer if it was a fact that in the War Office of his country they, had every detail, about England. The officer told" him that that was 80, and that they had details of the Eastern counties, every village was marked, the principal landowners and officials were known, and even the postmasters of the villages were recorded. I asked him," added Major Baden-Powell, if it was true, and he replied, Yes." How did you get it ?' X said and he replied, We spent 10s. 6d. and bought a Kelly's County Directory.' The presentation to Mr. loyd George of 3.». illustrated album by his fellow pupils at tha Llanystumdwy Church School, Carnarvonshirea has been definitely; fixed to take place on Whit- Tuesday, June 1, at Llanystumdwy. The ceremony will be performed probably in th« open air. The Rev. K, Evans, Rector oi IJansadwrn, Anglesey, a pupil teacher in tha Chancellor's school days, will preside, ançl the album will be handed over by Mr. Morris Davies. of Rotherham, a schoolmate. Among the guests of the Lord Mayor of Lotv don, at the Hotel Cecil, last Thursday, on the occasion of the annual meetings of the Auc- tioneers' Institute of Great Britain, was Councillor Isaac Edwards, of Merthyr. Mr. Edwards was the only representative of this district, and the only other gentlemen present from South Wales were Mr. D. T. Alexander, of Cardiff, and Mr. W. J. Rees and Mr. Ernest Leeder, both of Swansea. At a meeting of the Merthyr Corporation, on Monday night, a councillor was w; x ng eloquent" npon the qualifications of a certain person, but made a slip t>y declaring that she was a most uncoriscious woman." He meant conscientious." The committee of the Brecon-road Soup Kitchen have been considering the Lest ways and means of increasing funds, which they are greatly in noed of at present, otherwise the of over 200 children daily will have to 6 discontinued. All through the winter free neals have .been. provided for the little ones, but for the efforts of the committee, would lave had to go hungry on many occasions.. Fackson Withers, manager of the Theatre rtoval, has now given permission for a grand oncert to be held at the Theatre on Whit- innday evening. Mr. Withers has kindly rflered the free use of the place, and the sen ices )f the first-class band, and a number of local eading artistes have promised their services t is hoped by this concert to raise a substantial um in aid of this worthy cause. POLONIUS.

Be calm! Things will ruffle you as much ut 70U will let them. A friend is one who,' seeing your fauits, loves TOU in spite of them. Some people loss so well tkftt others think hey are winning..