Death Duties

Press, Volume C, Issue 29511, 12 May 1961, Page 3

Death Duties

Sir,—l would back J. G. Barclay by stating that the nibbling a little here and there is, of a certainty, the policy of this Government. On collecting the tablets that my husband’s doctor prescribes for him, we were told: “These are now £1 17s for 30 as from May J.” The social security tax is no lighter, but of course death duties will be, and we know who benefits here.—Yours, etc., R. DAVIS, May 9, 1961.

Sir. —Mr J. G. Barclay condemns the National Government for its intention to grant monetary help in the payment of death duties. Mr Barclay fails to realise that death duties are demands from saving reached after the payment of heavy land and income tax. and that the distribution of funds at death is in the interest of the people, in that the recipients in very many cases will employ their legacies to most energetic enterprises to the advantage of us all. Mr Barclay appears, also, to forget that parks, roads, footpaths, and all other civic amenities are free to him by virtue of the application of brains, experience. knowledge and close work of those at whom he sneers and terms the “privileged.” The Government is to be most heartily commended.—Yours. etc., AN ORDINARY MAN. May 10. 1961.