The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-03-30 00:00:00

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Eke 3toulage OserVer.

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1872.

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THE BUDGET.

When the Chancellor of the Exchequer, last
year, foiled in his attempt to impose a tax upon
matches—which many people think now would
not have been such a bad tax after all—gave us
the additional burden of 2d more on the income-
tax, there were complaints in various quarters
that this tax was not then, and would not ho re-
quired. Events have certainly to a great extent
warranted these assertions. The past financial
year has been oue of unusual—we were about to
say unprecedented —prosperity. Mr. Lowe, it
would seem, reckoned on a yield of revenue,
from all sources except the income-tax and mis-
cellaneone, to the tune of nearly a million less
than for the financial year 1870-1. But the ces-
sation of the Franco-Prussian war and. the reac-
th activity after stagnation, does not appear
to nave been sufficiently counted upon. Be this
as it may, our revenue has agreeably disappoin-
ted Mr. Lowe's calculations, and he therefore
had a very pleasant task before him on Monday
night, when he rose to make his financial state-
ment. There had been, he showed, a meet sat-
isfactory increase of revenue in several depart-
ments, the total result being that the entire
estimates were £72,315,000 whilst the total re-
ceipts had been £74,525,000, being a total in-
crease of £2,220,000, or. taking sundry other
items into account, a surplus of £2,815,000.
Here indeed was glorious ground to work upon.
The fact in itself speaks volumes for the pros-
perity of the country. With a revenue of more
than two and three quarter millions over an ex-
pendant.* it cannot be denied that the country
is doing well, and it must be borne in mind that
this surplus income is to a very largo extent
owing to the increased consumption of taxed
articles by the great mass of the people. Cus-
toms were estimatedto produce £20,100,000, and
they have produced £90,300,600; and. .Excise,
which was imated to produce £22,490,000
really produced £22,300,000, while the Post
Office and the Telegraph service are shown to be
pecuniarily in s thoroughly healthy condition.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is indeed to
be congratulated on having so very favourable a
state of financial affairs to deal with. We do
not here enter on party politics, but it is certain
that the Ministry is in such a position that a
favourable Budget or an unfavourable Budget is
a matter of unusually great importance to them.
But what we as taxpayers have to do with is the
division of their splendid surplus of something
approaching to three millions. As we might
have expected, there is a considerable reduction
of taxation. The first reduction will be on the
house tax, and offices and premises of a similar
character are now to be exempted from the tax.
The tax on coffee also is to be reduced from 28s
to 14s; and that on chicory in a corresponding
proportion. It may be doubted whether it is ad.
visible thus to reduce the duty on chicory, see-
ing that it is so largely used for purposes of
adulteration, but cheaper coffee will be a great
boon to the working classes, and we hope may
have some tendency to decrease the attractions
of the public-house. The most important change
which Mr. Lowe proposes is the reduction of the
income tax. It now stands at GI in the pound,
awl he proposes to reduce it to 4d, as it was pre-
vious to last year. He moreover proposes to
extend and develope that system of deduction
from the taxable amount of small incomes
wnich, so far as it has already gone, has done
something to relieve the middle and working
classes from the oppressive weight of this bur-
densome tax. The present limit from which a
deduction on account of income can be made is
to be extended from £2OO to £3OO, and the am-
ount to be deducted from £6O to £BO. We con-
fess we did not at the time that it was imposed
see any occasion for the extra twopence, and the
present figures clearly demonstrate that it was
uncalled for. The tax is a very obnonious one,
as if a steady deserving man rises to the posi-
tion of getting £lOO per year, then his brain is
taxed. We should like to see the tax totally re-
pealed, and one on real property substituted.
Taking the Budget, as a whole, it is decidedly
a favourable one to the tax-paying community.
The income-tax has been felt as very oppressive,
and perhaps no class has felt it more than that
which has had incomes fluctuating between £2OO
and £3OO a year. This is especially a struggling
class—not, indeed, for the necessaries of life,
but for the comforts and refinements of modern
society, and this class includes numbers of pro-
fessional men—surgeons, barristers, clergymen,
&c., the undue taxation of whom is decidedly
bail policy. The relief that Mr. Lowe purposes
will come as a great boon to this class, while all
persons who have had to pay income-tax will also
obtain some relief. This is the strong point of
the Budget, but, as a whole, it will undoubtedly
be popular.

)of

state

About 150,000,000 pounds of tea are annually consumed
in this country ; and forming as it does the principal
daily beverage of all classes, it behoves consumers to
select only that which can be relied outer sterling quality
and real cheapness. Horniman's Tea always reaches the
consumer in the same pure state as it haves the grower,
and as it is securely sealed, with the price printed on
each packet, it cannot be changed or sold at an incraased
rate. The great social importance of this mode of supply
is evident from the magnitude of Messrs. Horniman'a
connection being unparalleled in the annals of the trade.
Appointed Agents (Chemists, Ac..) in every town.
A SINCERE VOICE or WARNING against Quacks, or an
unerring Guide to the Nervous and Debilitated, by J. L.
Pulvernaaeher. An infallible means of detecting the
Quack Doctor, and thus preventing the above class of
patients from falling into his clutches, a danger into
which they are likely to be entrapped through hiS spe-
cious and enticing forms of advertisements and Treatises.
The well known name and position of the author is a
sufficient guarantee of sincerity. Ts be had through any
bookseller, or direct of J. L. Pulvermacher, Galvanic
Establishment, 168, Regent-street, W., London.
10,703 CURES OF AsTIIMA, CONSUMPTION, AND DOOR-
DERs or THE THROAT AND LUNoS, RHEUMATIC, HYSTERI-
CAL, NERVOUS, AND HEART COMPLAINTs, BY DR.
LUr.:OCK'S WAFERS HAVE EEEN PUBLISHED IN THE
LOST 12 Mocerits.—The benefit to society which has re-
sulted from the discovtry of this medicine is, however,
far greater than these figures show, as many thousands
of cures are effected and not made public. Dr. Locock's
Wafers are soli by every medicine dealer, in boxes, at
prices from Is to lie, suns to meet the circumstan-
ces of all ranks. Be careful to see the name in the
Government Stamp.
SIMPN)N'S CATTLE SPICE.—ThiS seasoning powder, to
sprinkle amongst the food for horses, cows, calves,
fatting cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry, is the first article
ever sold as " Cattle Spice," and ten times stronger than
soy imitation ; its wonderful effects are proved all over
the world. Sold retail iu halfpenny packets, and six-
penny packets, by grocers. druggists, and corn dealers
everywhere, with the metiers' trade mark and signature,
—BREAD AND PASTiIy MADE Itlasv.—A fair trial in asked
for Simpson's •• Clipper" Custard Flour, Egg Flour, and
Baking Powder—three new and most excellent articles,
large penny packets, and sixpenny boxes. Sold by
I,..ocers, druggists, and confectioners, everywhere.—
Simpson and Co. (sole manufacturers) Chiswell-street,
London.
ELECTRs-CIENP.RATINo is. BANDS, BELTS, &C. —Mr.
Polvermacher, ever anxious to diffuse amongst the mil-
lions the great boon of his Medico ethnic System, has
happily succeeded by his new mechanical process of
manufacture in establishing a ss. Electra-diffusing Band,
Belt, &c., of self-sustaining action. While insuring the
greatest efficacy in the speedy recovery from Rheuma-
tism, Gout, Seiatiea, Lumbago, Neuralgia, Liver Com-
plaints, Indigestion, Sparna, Cramp. Paralysis. Epilepsy,
Nerrous Debility, Functional Disorders, (fie., te., these
appliances combine cheapness with the utmost ease, and
greater comfort of application by being used in a dry
state. Henecforth Patients of small means and delicate
constitution may advantageously avail themselves of the
truly marvellous efficacy of
.Galvanic Electricity by self.
application, an efficacy 0111 irdled by any remedy extant.
These Bands, ,'cc., are forwarded, post free, on receipt of
pos. office order, or stamps, with full particulars, on ap-
lication to J. L. I'CLYERMACHER, 168, ltegent-street,
London, W.
AN RIMMED BEVERAGE.—CACA'OINE. —The Food
Journal says —"By: a new process to which the nibs are
su'oji,cterl, the principal part of the oil is eceetually re-
moved; a thin beverage, well adapted for afternoon or
evening use, as a substitute for tea, being the result. The
flavour of Cacakrine will, in addition, be a great attrac•
tiers to all."—Each packet or tin is labelled, " Jamas
EPPS & Co.. Homeopathic Chemists, London." Also
makers of Epps's Milky Caerthrine (Caca'oine and Con-
densed Milk).
IF THERE AR:. ANT LAMA who have not yet used the
GLEcirtmo STARCH, they are respectfully solicited to
give it a Walt and carefully follow ,sit the directions
printed on every package, and if this is done, they will
say, like the queen's Laundress, it is the finest Starch
they ever coed. When you ask for GLENFIF.LD STARCH
see that you get it, as inferior kinds are often substituted
for the sake of extra profit. Beware therefore of spar.
lons imitations.