Page 327 - clra62_0019-(GIPE)

A FINANCIAL RETROSPECT. 1861-19°1 319
been made to the first three branches of revenue in
thirty years, an increase of less than. 50 per cent .• the
addit~n in the case of the second group is almost
exactly double, or 41 million £. and has been at the
rate of 250 per cent. Here, again, the effect of the con-
trast would hardly be mitigated by including the addi-
tional taxes imposed a year ago. The additional weight
thrown on income tax and death duties" leaps to the
eyes."
3. The next point must be that this change in rela-
tive position among different branches of the revenue
has not occurred automatically in any way, that is by
some taxes in course of time, through a natural develop-
ment, becoming more productive than others. It has
occurred, on the contrary, at least very largely, as the
result of legislative and other changes. If we analyse.
in fact, the list of taxes repealed. or reduced, and taxes
imposed or increased, to which reference has already
been made, we find that the reductions in the early
period are largely reductions of duties of Customs and
Excise, and the increases in the later period are largely
increases of income tax and death duties. On this head
the list of rates of duty on principal heads of Customs
(Table X.) appears instructive. There is a slight in-
crease in the charge for spirits; a slight increase on
tobacco generally, but a decrease in the rates for cigars
and snuff; a great decrease in tea, from IS. Sd. to 6d.
per lb.; a great reduction in sugar, from 18s. 4d.. or 2d.
per lb. on refined, in 1861, to about td. per lb., in 1871.
while after that the heading disappears altogether, only
to be restored very partially in the current year; com,
which was IS. a quarter in 1861, had disappeared from
the list in 187 I, though only just before that year; and
timber and various other articles which were dutiable
in 1861, have likewise vanished. The reductions, ex-
cept sugar and tea, were not generally ~ortant in
amount, but the changes on balance have been all one
way. In Excise there have been fewer or hardly any
reductions, if we except the transfers made between