The sun., 1908-12-20

To TAX british BACHELORS.
II Is Alleged That He Does Not Pay His
Share OF Expenses.
There are strong reasoDs why in Eng
land renewed attention should be given
to the subject Of taxing bachelors. de-
clares the Westminster Reriew. The mcst
important is the crucial fact that the
bachelor bears a mcst inadequate share
Of the public expenditure, local or national.
The bachelor fraternity too has greatly
increased in numbers. Lastly. there is
the urgent need on the part Of the State
to tap new sources Of revenue.
With regard to tho increas, in the
number OF bachelors the statistics avail
able have not the merit Of being quite
up to date, but the annual report OF the
Registrar-General. issued few weeks
ago, recalled that in London in 1871 the
proportion of bachelors in 1000 males
aged is and upward was $50. In 1901,
however. the proportion had risen to
i2i. The figures for spirs:ers are in each
cass little higher and, says the report,
the proportion for both bachelors and
spinsters increased at all ages
In the country as a whole-i. e., in
the United Kingdom-.the proportion Of
bachelors of 20 years and upward in
creased 20 to the Thousand between 1891
and 1901. There can be little doubt that
the augmentation continues.
II will probably be conceded that the
continued increass in the number OF
single men that has been witnessed of
late years is not at all good sign, and
gives Gauss for dis4uiet. From the point
OF view OF the strength and security of
the State bachelorhood has never been
regarded with favor. either in the ancient
or the modern world, and bachelors have
not only been subjected to penalties
but have been deprived Of certain political
rights. 'f
In France, in 1875. the Convention passed
vote excluding bachelors from the Con-
sell des Anoiens, which oorresponded with
the Senate OF to-day. Our neighbors on
the other side Of the Channel have among
them an influential society called the Ma
tional Alliance for the Increase of the Pop
ulation of France. 1t frequently depIores
the increase in the number OF bache elors,
and urges the adoption OF certain meas
ures which wouId place more political
power in the hands Of married men with
families. For instance. the alliance pro-
poses that a double vote should be given
to fathers Of more than two children.
In england bachelors have from time
TO time when the nations expenditures
were above the normal been subjected to
special taxation. In the reign Of William
III. the tax varied from one shilling to
El2 ios., according to the bachelors ability
to nay. He had to pay from the age Of rs.
THE impost was withdrawn in l7O6. In
i7sS bachelors servants were taxed at a
higher rate than other peoples, Pitt being
responsible for this discrimination. Five
years later that statesman's graduated
Income tax scheme bore more heavily on
ain gle than on married men,
In order TO show at a glance the ativan-
taReous position the bachelor has as COM
pared with the married man in the matter
of rates and taxes the following table
which each has TO pay. Both for the pur-
poees OF the table. are credited with In
come tax, and IL may be prefaced that the
average number Of persons in a family is
five:
BAcHEIoR. MARRIED MAN
indirect Taxation lfor Indirect Taxation
one person. himseln. TOR hve personsl.
Inhabited house duty
Local Rates,
Il is surely apparent. that unmarried
men do not bear their fair share Of either
the national or looai burdens. How is the
anomaly to be metz The most convenient
way would be for the State to levy q spe-
oial tax upon bachelors possessed OF
certain income. The tax should be levied
at the age Of rs or 30 and remain in force
till 70 or so.
ls has been shown. there are precedents
In England for such special taxation. OF
the total sum obtained by the Government
part should be sllocated for local purposes
In order to make good the shortcomings
of bachelors In the matter Of rates.