§ MR. NORRIS (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he will take into consideration to raise the tax on dogs to £1, excepting on those dogs at present exempted; if he will make it compulsory that all dogs shall be registered with a number, and be provided with a badge or label engraved with that number; and, if he will substitute such tax in modification of the Van and Wheel Tax?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)No, Sir. Such an impost would be regarded as practically the extermination of dogs, except those belonging to the wealthiest classes, and would create as much feeling among the people attached to dogs as the proposal for a Wheel Tax does on the possessors of carts. The second Question relates to what would be a Police Regulation rather than a Revenue proceeding. I have received a hundred suggestions from those who own vans and carts, and those who represent them, as to taxes to 172 be imposed upon other people than themselves; but every suggestion, if adopted, would lead to as much outcry as the taxes proposed.