The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-30 00:00:00

but her solvency is owing to the immensity of her
resources rather than to her national providence or
economy. She is like a thriftless landowner who
discovers a mine in his estates, whose supply of
wealth keeps pace with his utmost extravagance.
The commercial enterprise of her people, the mi-
neral wealth of the country, the wonderful elasticity
of her trade, appear to defy a peace expenditure
which would have made the War Ministers of a few
generations back stand amazed. It now appears
that India, in her eagerness for progress, is entering
on the same course, and as, however large the
surplus at the command of the Chancellor of the
British Exchequer, it is very quickly disposed of, so
the rapid increase of the Indian revenue has been
counterbalanced by an expenditure increasing at the
rate of two millions and a quarter annually. It is,
however, only fair to remember that we have long
arrears of duty to make up in India, and that great
expenses are being incurred with reference to rail-
ways, public works, and a better administration of
law and justice. The Civil Service Estimates, as
we should call them in this country, must, as Sir
CHARLES WOOD reminded the House, be
expected to increase rather than to diminish ;
and, provided the public service is effi-
ciently conducted, no one will be disposed to
quarrel with their amount. There is no fear either
that the revenues of India will not bear an increased
drain upon their resources, for the development of
the railways and the general improvement of the
means of communication throughout the country
will facilitate the rapid progress which trade and
commerce are already making. The cotton cultiva-
tion, badly as it has been managed, has brought
immense sums into the country, while the success
of the tea plantations have given a fresh stimulus
to enterprise. The more the attention of the people
can be diverted from religious fanaticism and secret
conspiracies to the steady employments of industrial
life the better it will be for the country, for native and
Anglo-Indians alike. The resources of the country
are immense, and a very few years of care and at-
tention have sufficed to develope them to a wonder-
ful extent. Judicious management will enable the
revenue to bear very much heavier burdens than
any as yet imposed, but respecting the present sys-
tem of financial policy there is just now some diffe-
rence of opinion. Sir C. TREVELYAN, in fulfilment
of a pledge given five years ago by his predecessor,
Mr. WILSON, has removed the income tax, a re-
duction of taxation which naturally makes a
considerable difference in the income. Sir
CHARLES WOOD disapproves of this removal, since
the tax is an easy and effective way of raising the
public money. There are two sides to this question,
and perhaps also two sides to the dispute about the
export duties. As a rule, they are no doubt mis-
chievous and contrary to the spirit of our whole
commercial policy of late years. Their imposition
is more especially to be regretted just when every
encouragement is needed for the development of
Indian trade and commerce. Sir C. WOOD has
refused to sanction them, and has directed that the
duties already levied should be returned. On the
other hand, it is urged that Sir CHAS. TREVELYAN
was anxious to divide the burden of the expenses
incurred on behalf of the public works, and proposed
raising a loan of considerable amount, so as to re-
lieve the present generation froM the sole liability
for works of lasting good. Sir JOHN LAWRENCE,
objecting to the amount of the loan, proposed to
substitute export duties, which the Calcutta Chamber
willingly acceded to. Nevertheless Sir C. WOOD
was doubtless right in exercising his power of con-
trolling, though he disclaims any wish of directing,
the Indian Finance. Coffee and tea are, as be ob-
served, but infant cultivations in India, and the
imposition of duties would be as unprofitable as im-
politic. The Indian Secretary has expressed his
willingness to consider a well-digested plan for a
loan for public works when the actual state of
affairs has been fully explained and considered.
This would be a better method than any levy of
duties, and there is one duty—the tax on malt—
which might with advantage be reduced. It must be
borne in mind, in the face of all apparent deficien-
cies, that the public works, which are so costly, are
of.a most reproductive nature, and that the present
generation, in draining and watering the land, in
constructing railways, canals, and highroads, is
really bearing the expenses both of the past and the
future. There is no ground, in spite of the increas-
ing expenditure, for any uneasiness respecting the
financial prospects of India.