DUKE AND HIS INCOME.
LIVFLY
PASSAGES WITH
MR. COOK.
£40,000 IN TAXES ON COAL ROYALTIES.
There were lively passages between the Duke of Northumberland, who appeared as a witness for the mine royalty owners,
and Mr. A. J. Cook, secretary of the Minces Federation, at a recent sitting, of the Coal Commission.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 16TH 1926
LUNCH IN THE AIR.
INNOVATION IN HUGE AIR LINER.
Twenty passengers were served with luncheon in a new aeroplane recently while it dew over South London and Croydon. The machine was the Vickers "Vanguard." fitted with two 850-700 b.p. Bulls-Royce Condor engines." It has been built for the Air Ministry, and is now to be put into service on Imperial Airways, with the object of obtaining The duke said that in his own case, from September, 1924, to September, operational data. The machine was 1925, the gross aggregate he received in piloted by Major II. G. Brackley, Air royalties was £73,431, but after "paying. income tax, super-tax, and mineral Superintendent of Imperial Airways, with rights the figure was £33,831. The aver-whom in the 'pilot's "cockpit," sat dir age amount per ton paid in royalties was Vice-Marshal Sir" W. S. Bräncker. The about bd, or éd.
Asked by Sir William Beveridge, a
cabin contained twenty persons, each in member of the Commission, if he sug-comfortable chair at table, the arrange gested that all unsuspected coal should
ment being much the suite as that of eventually enrich the owner of the land, the duke said that he did not see any Pullman car. There were, in addition, reason why this should not be so. Was there any difference. he asked, between this case and the case of a man holding stocks and shares which, owing to some fortuitous circumstaret, might go up in prices, or the man who went in for build. ing development ?
Mr. Cook: Do you think that, seeing that you have claimed royalties for,, minerals got from under your land, you have a perfect right to claim royalties for over the land
The Duke do not think so, but that is a question of law.
Supposing electricity were generated from the air over your land, what would your opinion be as to whether you were entitled to some royalty for it-That is a very hypothetical case. I am afraid You would certainly claim royalties. wouldn't you I really do not know.
The duke agreed that the underground
I cannot tell you.
value of land was enhanced when coal "was discovered.
* GRANTS FROM THE CROWN.
11
Mr. Cook: You claim the right to reap the reward of somebody else's labour - Certainly. If you buy property of any kind in the expectation of its being de: veloped and profits being derived, all profits of any kind are derived as the result of somebody else's labour.
Replying to further questions, the duke said that some of his land was purchased in the reign of James I., but the bulk of it was acquired as much more recent dates. His forefathers got grants from the Crown as long ago as 1300
Asked by Mr. Cook what services he, as an owner, rendered to the community, the duke said that for his mineral pro, "perties he had to pay annual taxation of ios. 6d. in the £. He had already paid in the form of death duties, etc., about 92 per cent. of the value of his estate, and his first teir would have to pay 40 per cent. or more, which would entail the breaking up of the estate.
"Among Bervices I render," he added, amid laughter," is explaining to the men the disastrous course on which they are being led by their leaders."
A little later. Mr. Cook asked if the luke considered that the knowledge that he (the duke) was getting so much out of the industry would make the miner
21
|
L
'THE "CITY OF BARODA.”
INTERESTING PRESENTATION TO
CAPTAIN. -
An interesting little ceremony took place at Singapore recently on the as City of Baroda, which, it will be remem bered, ground on the N. Lucenin Shoal an Christmas Day, when the passengers pre- septed Captain Haughton with a silver cigarette box in token of their apprecin tion of the untiring efforts of himself. officers and crew resulting in the safe arrival of the steamer at Singapore.
The box, which was suitably inseribed, contained the following letter sigued by all passengers: To Captain W. J. Haughton, From the Passengera on board his ship. This small token is to express their appreciation and to thank him for his very great kindness to them all on the voyage. They all feel that to his cour
two stewards, neither of whom had average, coolness and devotion to duty; and The to his skilful navigation of the ship. before been up in an aeroplane. luncheon menu was as follows:
together with the loyal co-operation of his officers, engineer staff and crew dur- ing the three days, December 95th, 26th). and 27th, their arrival in port is entirely due,"
Lobster-Salad
Veal and Ham Patties. Chicken and Ham Patties. Russian Salad,
Sweets,
Charlotte Russe.
Rolls, Butter, Cheese. Liqueuers, Cocktails, Wines, Coffee.
ค
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The weather was most unfavourable, the wind being high and gusty and the air bumpy." In the opinion of expert enced pilots the conditions were excep- tionally had; and I certainly have never during many years flying (says the Aviation correspondent of the Daily Telegraph) felt the unevenness of the air so much in a machine of a size which average conditions ensures perfect steadiness. The conditions detracted to some extent from the enjoyment of the meal, which, nevertheless, was a success with the exception that two of the passengers, feit qualms of sickness. 1t should, however, be borne in mind that passengers on the cross-Channel boats suffered severely, and certainly a larger proportion were unhappy than of those in our acroplane. There is, indeed, every reason why a good meal should beguile the tedium of a flight to or from the Continent, instead of the luncheon baskets which are now supplied to passengers who require than, but it is more with a view to the future that the experiment should he regarded.
FOR FIGUY WEATHER.
The acquisition of the Vickers-Rolls- Royce by Imperial Airways is in accord- ance with the development" policy now being pursued. The policy includes the use of larger machines, fitted with two or three engines, with a view to safety, regularity, and comfort. guard is a development from the famous
The "Yan-
Vimy, which crossed the Atlantic and flew to Australia-and the Cape. It pro- vides in an enclosed saloon separate arm- chair seats for twenty passengers, whose comfort has been ensured by electrical
happy
do not think it makes him un-heating and ventilation. There is a hold happy," replied the duke. "I think he is a very clear beaded person.
The latter part of this remark was in audible at the Press table, but while the duke was speaking Mi. Cook rapped out,
"We are not going to allow you to in-which weighs when fully loaded consider sult us. Will you repeat" that?"..
The Duke: I think miners in general are very clear headed. I do not think that can always be said of their leaders: I hope you won't take that as an in
sult.
Mr. Tom Richards, of the Miners Federation: Nor are all the dukes.
Mr. Cook: Not many of them are. Mr. Cook asked whether the duke did not oppose nationalisation because he was afraid of losing, his £80,000 a year..
NO PRINCIPLES.
GALLANT BEHAVIOUR DURING TRYING TIME. Lieut. Col. F. G. FitzGerald, on "mak- ing the presentation, said: I have been asked to say a few words on behalf of the passengers before we leave the ship. We with, before parting, to thank Capt. Haughton, the officers, stowards and crew for all they have done for us while on this voyage and to say how much we admired their courage and gallant be Laviour during those trying three days' which we all experienced. With regard to our Captain, I find it hard to find words to express our feelings about him. Ho is a fine specimen of the type of the "Boys of the bulldog breed who have made old England's name," and as long as we have men of his courage and metal in our Mercantile Marine the world will know that England rules the sea." it is with the greatest regret that we leave him and his ship behind us. He is, as you know, a very old sailor, having spent 47 years at sea, and has always been regarded as being, if anything, over careful in the navigation of his ships I now ask him to accept this very small memento from us all as a token of our esteem and regard for him.
Capt. Haughton, who was pleasurably surprised and touched by the presenta tion, replied very simply and the in- formal little ceremony closed with ex pressions of mutual goodwill, the pas. sengers departing for the steamer Padd Treat, which carried them to Colombo
-U.S. FOREIGN POLICY.
MR. KELLOGG ON ISOLATION.
44 THE DEBT PROBLEM. for baggage and lockers for mails or par-
Addressing the Council of Foreign cels. The safety arrangements include
Relations in New York last month, Mr. energency hatches and a wireless tele- Kellogg, U.S. Secretary of State, dis phone installation.
To ensure smooth landings this machine, cussed the foreign policy of the United States. All men, he declared, would agree that the feature which gave it its ably more than eight tons, has been fitted with a patent eleopreumatic under chief distinction and as the same time
Many
was least understood and appreciated by Carriage, designed by Vickers. ingenious instruments are fitted, inchid the rest of the family of nations was the axed determination to avoid participation. which has now been Sitted to practically we shall go to the very limit of reason. ing a Reid control-indicator, an apparatus in purely European political matters. the whole of the Imperial Airways fleet. This provides the pilot and navigator poses," he said, "but we will not com. able co-operation for all legitimate por with an immediate, indication of any
alliances and counter-alliances to main- doffarture from the course, and assists mit ourselves to the European system of tain the balance of power upon that Con- enormously in the maintenance of an accurate course in foggy weather.
tinent." Vanguard attains a maximum speed of
Much is constantly being said (con- approximately 112 miles an hour, and tinued Mr. Kelloga), especially in the can ascend to a height of 15,400ft. The foreign Press, about our isolation as a fuel tanks provide a duration "capacity country, our refusal to co-operate with 4 hours at cruising speed. The landing other countries in the settlement. of speed is forty-nine miles an hour.
ceonomic and political problems now con fronting the world. I believe that within. the limitations of its policy the United
N
The
£75,000 a year," corrected the duke, and added that his net income from the industry was only £3,000. If he were afraid of losing thas sum he thought he might be inclined to say, "Nationalise ininerals at once;" because he was more likely to get adequate compensation from NEW PROPERTY ACT IN U.K.States has co-operated in every way in
Conservative Government than he would get under a Labour Government, who recognised us principles of morality or rights of property.
+
Mr. Cook: Are you prepared to sacri. fice any royalties to help the industry on its feet-I am quite prepared to sacrificing my royalties, which have heen considerably reduced.
solving the grave problems confronting Europe and tending encouragement and assistance in this economic reconstruction.
A British radio message Tram Rugby published in the Straits papers says :
Since the world war evidence that Fundamental changes in the English law of property are effected by the Pro Europe is making a sincere effort to free perty Acts, came into operation with the itself from the old system-of balance of New Year. Under them real and per-power, supported by military alliances, is sonal property is assimilated. Copy hold unmistakable. Recent events justify the tenure, which is a relic of feudal times, hope that mutual distrust, with its bate should like as little to work in a | primo penituro, and all local and cus-
ful paraphernalia, balance of power, mili mine, tuted the duke, as a miner tomary laws of succession, which varied try alliances, etc., may really be replaced would like to do my work. I do not widely in different parts of England, are by mutual confidence, with its normal think, the miner would like to do my abolished. Henceforward, one uniform tion. The Locarno Conference is an out accompaniments, conciliation and arbitra- work at all."
rule of succession, applicable alike to real and personal property, is establish standing accomplishment. ed. Although many statutory changes Replying to farther questions, the have been effected in the past afty years; duke said that the royalty owners were the law of property in England until not prepared to consider any change in this vast work of codification was under the present system in regard to royal-taken, lay deeply embedded in case law. ties.
It could only be ascertained by a care- ful study of the rules inid down and decisions given in the Law Courts during the past six centuries. Inevitable anomalies resulting from this slow growth
"Uppportunity would be a fine thing," commented Mr. Cook
Mr. Cook: And they will fight to re- tain the principles that are now operat ing!
Certainly replied the duke, but in regard to mineral ownership only."
Mr. Cook pointed out that the duke's income was more than £200 a day, and that that represented the rivalent of the daily wages of 440 miners.
are now swept away.
Kellogg said: This Government has at Discussing the debt question, Mr.
WW
'Two Sandy Macs, please'
Life here,' began the Bar Lady at the Crown Theatre during
the first entracte, is becoming much more--
Two Sandy Macs, please!
interesting. Of course it's a bit trying when you've-
Three Sandy Macs, please!?
-got to squeeze your-day's work into--
Two Sandy Macs, please!'
⚫ about half an hour. But really men are calling for drinks-
Four Sandy Macs, please!'
much more sensibly these days. Most of them know exactly what they want and call for--
Two Sandy Macs, please !' 4it.
But-'
'Double Scotch miss, please!'
He's very young' explained the Bar Lady.
Sandy Macdonald Scots Whisky
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During the war and for two
TO CANADA FOR £3, Very cheap passages for emigrants to Canada were announced in Parliament by Mr. Ormsby Gore, who said that under the agreement reached between Great Britain and the Trans-Atlantic shipping companies a person proceeding to Canada' this year, under the Settlement Act, would be able to travel to the easter ports of Canada for £3, instead of £15
of £20,10%
no time been unmindful of the suffering at without adding the extremely heavy | CHEAP PASSAGES TO DOMINIONS. and losses of the debtor nations and the burden entailed by the subsequent re- staggering burdens which their peoples adjustment of artificially stimulated in- are carrying. We have gone, just as far j,dustry. as we possibly could in recognition of years thereafter, we imposed upon our these extraordinary and deplorable con people a burden of taxation equal to any, ditions. The time had come when the and in most cases far exceeding that im United States had to take action to settle posed by any nation of Europe. When this much-discussed and troublesome ques we borrowed ten billion dollars from our tion. It was not only necessary as own people, and lent it to foreign Govern domestic question, but it was equally menta, we did so under specific agree necessary if Europe was to be rehahili ments for repayment at the particular tated, international credit maintained request of the foreign Governments that currencies stabilised, budgets balanced such financial assistance should take the believe in the main foreign Governments American people to-day pay taxes to meet have come to take this view of the ques. the obligations which their Government proportionate and children would go. tion. In the brief space of two years the thus incurred. United States spent nearly thirty billion No American Government (he conclud. free and as at present the loss on these dollars on the war in addition to tened) could contemplate an outright gift of subsidised passages will be met jointly billion dollars lent to it Allies. All of billions of dollars. There were, however, by the Imperial and Canadian Govern the thirty billion dollars was an economic certain factors which gave clasticity to the ments. loss to the United States, and the full negotiations, the free play to our desire measure of auch loss cannot be arrived to show liberality and to impose no in
(Continued on meri Column). superable burden unon others.
Rates to other destinations would be
PRIZES FOR LARGE FAMILIES,
!!
£33,000 DISTRIBUTED BY THE FRENCH ACADEMY Ninety-two prizes of £250 and 100 of £100 each were distributed by the French Academy last month to fathers of large
•
Tho, funds are provided annually out of bequests made to engpurage the family spirit, which of recent years has been
Some typical recipients were:
The principal new act was passed in 1929, but two years later and before it bad come into force two amending,write were passed, and probably now that they Do you think," he asked, "that you are in operation further changes may be and the industries of Europe restored. I form of loans and not subsidies. The 58, and to Winnipeg for £5 19 instead dangerously shaken in France, R render the same service to the community, found necessary. The new law of pro- as 440 minera?"
perty has brought in its train sweeping "The duke pointed out that the figure changes in Trust Acts, Settled Lands given was the gross income.
Acts, Conveyancing, and Land Transfer Mr. Cook: I am taking the miners Acts; and barristers and solicitors have found it necessary to undergo a course of The Duke: Compare the miner's out reading and with students they bave re- goings with mine.
turned to the lecture rooms in order to make themselves acquainted with the new Jaw.
gross wage too.
Mr. Cook: If he had your income he would not mind.
Similar large reductions already have been arranged in the case of passengers to Australia and New Zealand.·.
M: Jang, labourer, and his wife, who have fourteen children living.
M. Campergue, a coachman, who is the father of eleven children; and
Captain Leon Pousset, a young artil lery officer, with a distinguished war re cord, whose nine children have been born in Morocco, Algeria, and the Rhineland, where Mme. Pousset follow- ed her husband' during his Army career.