The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-19 00:00:00

-
globe. The wars in which the East India Gover.l.
went was engaged during the latter years of 11
existence, coupled with the mutiny which marke
the termination of its career, not merely drain!
the Indian exchequer, but seriously encumbered th
national finances and lessened the credit of the GO,
vernment. So deeply involved, indeed,had the lel
ter become, and so insecure was the condition.n
Indian finance, that the first care of the Leper's
Government was to effect, if possible, such reform
as would at least enable India to emerge from he
Ltate of chronic indebtedness. To Mr. Wilson we
entrusted this difficult task, and in endeavouring ti
accomplish it he sacrificed his life. Mr. Laing 13,1,11
eeeded him ; and although he pursued a polioY
ferent from that of his predecessor, it would u:
unjust to the memory of the former not to Om,'
that his labours lightened, in no inconsiderable
degree, the duty which the latter was called tlffi
to discharge. When Mr. Laing landed in 'Dull
he tells us he found a deficit of £6,000,000,
new taxes unproductive and unpopular, the ore"
of the Government so low as to be unable to COln
[nand a loan even at six per cent., and the case
91
balances in the Treasury at the lowest point b,
which it was possible that the government of t
country could be conducted. In this position
affairs he addressed himself to the work of for
by making a sweeping reduction in the e/tPen
cure. The annual outlay was at this time e",°to
£28,000,000, and this was diminished forthwith er
the extent of £5,000,000, and in the following Po(
it was reduced by an additional £2,000,000. ,
these sums, about £4,000,000 were saved by reclu:d
tions in the military and naval establishments,
the remainder, by pursuing a similar course vilo
respect to the civil service departments. At the sum
time remissions were effected in taxation ; the °ua.
lay on public works was increased, notwithstane
ing which, owing to the buoyancy of the recap
deficits of previous years became converted int° so
surplus. It is gratifying to know that the eucchest
f
obtained by Mr. Laing was not transient, and ti
the prosecution of the same economical system w,";olio
he contributed so much to establish has since
departure from India been followed by the same
good results. The great secret of financial succ,e'o.
in India seems to be to bestow with no grudgt
hand all that is required for the development of t°o
material resources of the empire. Mr Laing 1340
been all his life a man of business, and the 13"'ef
which his recent address contained on the subject
remuneration to the servants of the Govereta"o,
merit the closest attention. " Real economy is *ltrk
gether inconsistent with cheeseparing. To do vic4ef
cheaply you must do it with the smallest numberei
the best possible hands. To get this you innet,.l3
only pay men well, bat you must treat them ,lh'ur
e
rally, and make them zealous and hearty in YA°llO
service." Mr Laing is a practical economist, and r,
can point to tha results of the system he has 13tio.
sued ; and we would therefore recommend the cc)„-of
sels which he giveslto the serious consideration 0
those gentlemen who, in the House of Commore',o
constantly manifest the interest which they take
the taxpayer by proposing to dock the salaries oilt
public servants. Everyone knows that if they wane
work well done it must be well paid for, anclAird
Government are the last in the world who can a""et
to ignore this important fact. "To a Governlnen,
like that of India," says Mr Laing, "is worth or to
lion a-year—as a mere question of money, nni'dy
speak of higher considerations—that its whole he
of servants, civil and military, should feel the wt of
State is a generous master, whom it is a Pol,°:re,
honour to serve faithfully." Mr Laing was tuf`,oo
fore careful, notwithstanding the great teraPta4o
to reduce the apparently large salaries of the India.
public servants, to leave them comparativelY nes
touched. Retrenchment is not always synnnYti).°d.
with economy. The maintenance of the vast
ministrative system which is needed for the govern
0
ment of India must blways cost what to Europeeen
may appear an extravagantly large sum ; but scli.,
it is borne in mind how much depends on the e'to
ciency of that administration, few will hesitate be
admit that if the paymasters err at all it should
on the side of generosity.