A Tax on Bachelors.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 80, 13 December 1884, Page 5

A Tax on Bachelors.

It is seriously proposed in the French Sevate to levy a tax upon bachelors. At the first blush this may seem a rather stupid practicle joke on the part of some unusually lacetiaus member, but in reality it is not so. If the measure passes there it is no doubt that France's revenues will be largely increased. For the real pnrpose of the bill, which is to make men marry whether they like it or not, will be attained. It is well to insist once more that the ie drawn up in all sober earnest, Its preamble reads some what as follows : — "Considering the growing decrease of the population in France, it has become necessary to impose a tax, upon all single persons over — years of age of the male sex." My informant, who gives me this little scrap of news, does not tell me anything more One naturally asks oneself whether the tax will be indiscriminately claimed from rich and poor alike — from the Adonis who enjoys his single blessednesd, from the Caliban who hates it. It is too early in the day to judge of tho effect it will produce upon the bachelor from conviction. As for the dowerless spinster, it is doubtful whether she will fherish any illusions with with regard to it. She knows full well that she will not be the one to benefit. " After all," said a bachelor jestei'day, " the tax, if tax there be, can only be regulated by one's income, and one's household expenses never are." The argument is not an inccon elusive one, though it be folly to pretend that want of means prevents the majority of young men in France from marrying. The cases causes of this inclination lie far deeper and are far moro difficult of discussion, in an English newspaper. They may, however, be slightly touched upon without offending the proprietors, No Frenchmen under 25 years can marry without the concent of parents. This concent will be invariably withheld if the girl whom he proposes to make his wife is portionless. It matters little enough whether the girl be honest, well educated, and generally unobjectable. The aspirant Benedick may not have a penny werewith to bless himself. It will be all the more reason for his parents insisting upon a good match,

On the other hand, if the girl be well provided for, he kinsfolk will not only let her marry unless ohe man's marriage portion be in proportion to hers, but they will effectually prevent all possibility of her making acquaintance of a financial detrimental. One may depend upon one thing in France, which is this — than an invitation to a private ball or dinner party has been preceded by an inquiry into the financial position of the recipient of such an invititation which for thoroughness will beat anything and everything that the most experienced detective in London or Paris could accomplish. Under those circumstances would it not be more practicle to levy a tax upon the parents possessing marriageable children of both sexes ? Even this, however, would not produce the desired effect, because rather than give their sons and daughters without therequisite dowry, the parents would grumblingly submit to be mulcted.— "Globe."