The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-03-01 00:00:00

The expendiLure of every kinl

Leaving a surplus of . . - . 443.528
I take the customs at 11,350.0001. The committee will observe
that this sum rather exceed the actual produce of the year just
passed. It is my duty to e Wu the grounds on which I' conceive
that produce likely to be r. iced. I have said enough, I think,
generally to satisfy the Conlmittee that there is nothing unreason.
able in assuming the revenue of the year 1824 as the basis of the
estimate of 1825. I begin with a deduction for that portion of the
remission of ditties which did not app!v to a part of the previous
year. This reduces the estimate to 11,327,0411. to which I add
50,0001. The first share of benefit results from the gradual aboli-
tion of certain bounties whirl' Parliament last session thought fit to
cut down, in pursuance of those wise principles which has latterly
regulated our commercial policy, and which I am sure, the more
they are carried into execution, will be the more approved and che-
ri.hed. I then add 400.0001. being the amount last year repaid on
the stock of silk on hand. That was clearly a casual payment, and
cannot recur. The whole may then be fairly and safely estimated
at 11,837,7411.: but from that sum I am bound to deduct that
portion of the remission of taxation which will come into operation
earlier this year. This I ea/estate at - . - .£410.000
The total probable revenue for 1825 will therefore be 11.427,7411.
But that I may be quite within bounds, and run no risk, I will
take the customs for 1825 only at 11.350.0001. ; leaving 77,000!. fir
elbow-mom.--{A laugh.) The excise I estimate at 28,400,0001.
The actual produce of last weir was 28.7011.0001, but from that
sum 2i7,0001. ought to be deducted : 280;0001. for the remaining
duty on salt, and 37,0001. for a portion of the expired duty on
rum. I have still left 28;:131,0001, ; but it will be more
prudent to make my estimate 13e,01.10/. lower, and state the
eecise at only 26,480.000 h The stamps I take at 7,100,0001.
allowing 150,000 f. for the loss that will result from the complete
remission of the law stamps. The asiessed and other taxes I take
at 4,875,0001. This estimate is founded on the most accurate com-
putation of the returns made to the Tax Office, and may be consi-
dered correct. The Post Office I take at 1,500,0001., what is rather
less titan the actual produce. The miscellaneous branches of revenue
consisting of a greet variety of items too tedious to go through, I
take at 750,0001. This is rather more than I should estimate them
for another year. but it happens this year that we have to receive
100,0001. from the King of the Netherlands in consideration of some
arrangements made according aD some treaty relatii g to the East
Indies. To these I add the payment from the trustees of half-pay,
and the total result stands thus:—
ESTIMATED 1111:0111r VOA 1825. C
Customs - . - .. ' . . . 11.350,090
Stumps - - .• -sits"—: JO' . .
Taxes . • ..• -.hies' .-- 4 " . '. ri,„.l
Post Office - . .ii . . - - 1.100,000
bliscellaueous 700,000
Trustees of half-pay 4,470,370
Total incrase - - - £3.445,370
ESTIMATED EXPENDITUSC FOR 1315.
Consolidated Fund :
Interest of debt 27,233,1170
Do. Exchequer Bills 40,000
Civil List 2,051,000
Half.pey Annuity 2,800,000
Sinking Fund 5,4118,834
Supply :
Interest of Exchequer Bills
Army
Navy - - -
Ordnance -
Miscellaneous

829,000

7.911:751
5 983.126
1,370,641
2,300,000

- . .
Total Expenditure

- b8,01)1,1342

Surplus for 1825 - - 443.528
The charge for the Sicking Fund has been increased by the ar-
rangement made last yeas to reduce the 4 per cents. The non-
assenting holders of that stock were paid off, and the other names
transferred at once to the new 3} per cents: The re-payment of
the Exchequer Bilk for the former purpose was charged on the
Sinking Fund, applicable to the discharge of the debt. With
respect to the increased expense of the army, I do not think it de.
sirable, or reasonable that I should take the trouble to bring it this
evening under discuss]sti. I hail hoped that my Noble Friend
(Lord Palmerston) would have been able, last week, to have made
his statement, but it is no urcessayy part of mine to justify the
measures he will explain. The miscellaneous expenses have been
increased by one or two items, to which it mny be as well I should
advert. A sum of 50,0004 has been appropriated to call in the
miserable tokens formerly ciroulisting in Ifeland. and substitute the
replier coin of the country. This expense will fall on the present
year. There will also be 2or 3801.81151.-07 be paid according to
treaty with the United States. During the ear, certain slaves, the
property of individuals, deserted from their masters, enlisted into
our service. and pliced themselves under our protection. It was
impossible to restore these men to their former servitude, and as
they were private property, She Government of the United States
considered that the proprietors were entitled to be indetnntfied. By
the treaty of Ghent, the principle was sanctioned and the adjust.
went of the amount was referees trill-40rd Nair. The Emperor of
Russia, after a fair and ininartillt consideration of the subject,
estimated the amount K not less than 250,0001. This constitutes
an important iteet in the miscellaneous services of the year, but
never likely to return. The general result it, that the surplus
revenue of 11.125, will amount to 413,5•-'Bl. ; but I wish the Com-
mittee to permit me to do again as I did last year, and carry their
attention forward and see how this species of estimate will apply to
the three succeeding ye/n.4.1145. 1028, and 1027. I then brought my
calculation dime to thee.' 4-4 1325, andi wish to do the same now.
I will assume fur 1828 antllB27 the same revenue as the actual receipt
of 1824, supposing noineresse to take place but such as will speci-
ally result from the emission of some particular duties in the
Customs.
In 1828, the income of the year may be estimated at 256,195,080
The expenditure 115,330.324
Leaving a surplus of 864,876
In 1827, the income . &Lam. 090
Expenditure 55,105,321
Surplus 1,254,876
.•
I will next explain bow I eoute to suppose that the revenue of 1827
will be so mach larger than that of 11126, and that of 1816 than
that of 182.5. The difference arises from an increase in the Cus-
toms, which I anticipate from a measure I shall submit on a future
evening, but which I think it right to state new. The drawback
on exported sugars exceeds by about three shillings per cwt. the
duty intended to be allowed. Tice Committee are aware that in
1806 it was proposed to lay on an additional duty of three shillings,
namely, to raise it from twenty-seven to thirty shillings. Consi-
derable objections were stated, and, as it seems to me, with some
fairness. An arrangement was finally adopted, according to which
the high duty of thirty shillinps was to attach only on a certain
high price ; below that it was to be only twenty-nine shillings, and
at a lower price twenty-eight shillings, and at a still lower 275.
I confess this strangeinent appears to me to be contrary to every
sound principle. The drawback, however, was fixed on the
supposition that the high dotty would be generally paid, and the
consequence is, that Government now receives a duty of only twenty-
seven shillings, Rad pays a drawback at the rate of thirty. It is
perfectly obvious that the only tendency of this system is to
induce foreigners, who are qulci-sighted enough to take advantage
of our errors, to hamper our sugar trade with all sorts of restric-
tions. They think that the excess of drawback may just as well
come into their treasury as remain in the pockets of the expeller,
and they lay on a higher duty to get possession of the object. The