JR8, reading your quote jogged my memory because I always attributed that thought (not the actual text) to an American of note in the early 1930's as well (I used to be a tax accountant in Washington DC before resigning at 29 to do what I wanted to do). A little research to refresh my memory brought up the the originator of the thought.
Even before Lord Tomlin, in the US, Supreme Court Judge, Learned Hand stated...
"
Any one may so arrange his affairs that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which will best pay the Treasury; there is not even a patriotic duty to increase one's taxes." ~Helvering v. Gregory, 69 F.2d 809, 810-11 (2d Cir. 1934)
Lord Tomlin made his statement two years later (IRC v Duke of Westminster [ 1936 ] AC1 (HL)).
65 words vrs 41 words. Neat. You Brits, in paraphrasing Learned Hand's statement, made it even more bombastic by increasing the word court by 50% and saying essentially the same thing.
Also by Learned Hand several years later....
Over and over again courts have said that there is nothing sinister in so arranging one's affairs as to keep taxes as low as possible. Everybody does so, rich or poor; and all do right, for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands: taxes are enforced exactions, not voluntary contributions. To demand more in the name of morals is mere cant.
Commissioner v. Newman, 159 F2d 848 (1947)