Ireland and England, or the Irish Land and Church Questions (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 edition. Excerpt: ... TAXATION. The following is a short outline of the scheme of Taxation proposed in 'The People's Blue Book;' 3rd Edition, 1862. The present object is, to show that, the proposed change in the system of taxation for the United Kingdom is peculiarly applicable for the relief of Ireland. This change, like every other great change, has been called revolutionary, but it involves no departure from Constitutional Law; on the contrary, it proceeds on the principle of the British Constitution, established by Magna Charta and confirmed by the Bill of Rights, now acknowledged as the People's Charter, though in practice disregarded on some most important points. But as this Scheme of Taxation is founded on principles somewhat at variance with those laid down by the high authority of Adam Smith and received with almost universal assent, it will be convenient here to state shortly the principle on which this scheme proceeds, and to show wherein it differs with the principle of that most eminent authority. It has been said that, "Actual equality of taxation would be a criterion of the highest civilisation;" but this is as great an error as if, in place of the word, 'taxation] the word, property, were substituted. The one is as undesirable and impossible as the other. It is a common opinion that, State Taxes should be raised by an equal rate on all descriptions of property. That the rate should be equal is a correct principle; but to apply that to all descriptions of property is, simply impossible, and, if possible, undesirable. Property is so various and so variable in its nature that, equality of rating, for all descriptions of property, must be impracticable. But the proposition assumes that, it is for the interest of the State that, all Property...