The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-20 00:00:00

Nov, if we compare this expenditure with that of France
we shall, I think, be inclined to the conclusion that the
expenditure of England, if we exclude the debt, is not un-
reasonably large :
FRANCE.
,c ci ~.„
. 0 •••;„
g_ t 8 = .^.-
Public:
..:' g C...-4 Rate ;„,i;
.11 Total. per 15 T. ".
Year. Debt. "a z 7.1 ~2, Head. ...-,..t '2
g X 2, c: ~.
IS 4 4 .S' mg
A r 74 ::-.' 1.4 x.l 'P-.
£ • £ £ £ e s. d.l.£ s.d.
1852 15,954,983 16460289 24,954,791 57370043 112 0,1 3 1
1853 14.975,380 16721704 25,783523 57480807 112 113 10
1854 16,710,005 30920654 27,376,923175007582 2 1111 12 7
1855 16,734,818 176200007 , €i 2 111 12 7
80903005 24,991,354673461.2 t 17 7 1 5 3
.I. will only trouble the committee with one other comps-
r!son—nam ely, that of Prussia.. I take that to be an eco-
nomical Government, in which the expenditure is kept
within the smallest limits :
PRUSSIA.
,:s 4 it'
_ 1.4 ?5t......;
.. 0 „
4 . "a
g Rate ~;.-...
Year. pil,tebbltle. b, 73
0
.1,*•8 Total. per 1:: 'iti
g g, 73 l'. Head. '-„ 76-
.1 1.,
~'-4-;,4 .. QP.,
£ £ £ £ £ s. d. £ s.d.
1855 1,792,985 4,333,634 10,569,687 16,696,236 119 3017 3
Thcise comparisons will, I thick, make the committee in-
cline
_to the conclusion that, if we leave out of our consi-

~..,
O
. 0.;
0
0 _
~
=.:-.1 Rate 1" '
Public -"
~ :••• . CA
Total. per 1; . .
Year. Debt. % ,:t :-". '-":1 ~2,
.t-'• X 2, c ~. .1
Head. :-5,75
M 4 4
A r 74 'A A 5' 4
-- ---- --
£ . £ £ x cs. d.'.£ s.d.
1852 15,954,983 16460289 24,954,791 57370043 112 0,1 3 1
1853 14.975,380 16721704 25,783523 57480807 112 113 10
1854 16,710,005 30920654 27,376,9231 {
11
1275007582 2 1 11 1 12 7
1855 16,734,818 176200001 2 1 1 7
8090300 24'991'354;67346172 ,1 17 7 1 8 3

Thcise comparisons will, 4. thick, make the committee in
cline to the conclusion that, if we leave out of our consi-
deration the great annual charge occasioned by the public
debt of this country, the portion of public expenditure
within the control of Parliament is reduced within reason-
able and moderate limits. There is no doubt that the large
amount of revenue which it is neeeasary to raise in order to
meet that great expenditure compels na not unfrequently
to maintain duties at higher rates than we should other-
wise desire to do. For example, the duty on tobacco is
maintained at a rate which is exorbitant when compared
with the price of the aiticlo. (Hear.) It is the constant
cause of smuggling, and necessitates the maintenance of a
large coastguard to protect that branch of revenue. (Hear.)
There is another article upon which it would be desirable,
upon international grounds, if the exigencies of the reve-
nue would permi*, to make some diminution. I mean the
article of wine. Olean ) For the purpose of increasing oar
commercial relation with France and other States of the
continent, it would be undoubtedly advantageous if, con-
sistently with the demands of the revenue, it were in our
power to reduce the duties on wine ; but, looking to the
great amount of our revenue which is derived from beer and
spirits, and remembering that if the dutyon wine, which is
already a moderate duty, were much reduced it would in-
terfere with the consumption of other fermented liquors, I
think the revenue would suffer more than the demands of
the public service would permit. There is another duty
which is no doubt inconveniently high, but which, in the
present stet.) of the revenue, Ido not seeto how alter. I
mean the duty on fire insueauees. That
revenue of about 1,30),0001:, 1,100,0001. I h
‘s
been
in
existence since 1782. It has stood
at its present rates:nee
the peace, and although it is open to many objections—al-
though it represses the prndentiai motives of insurers, and
although it is a duty which, upon many account', it would
be desirable to reduce, I do not see how, in tbo
present
state of the revenue, it would be possible for her Iltjesty's
Government to propose it as a subject of mitigation.
have now laid before the committee a statement of the esti-
mated revenue and expenditure for the ensuing year, and
I have added such remarks as it appeared to me my duty
to submit for the information of Parliament. It has been
my object to give full information upon all matters which
it is material Parliament should know in the present state
of public affairs. All reserve and concealment would 133
misplaced on occasions of this sort. The time bas long
gone by when the public are not to be trusted with a know-
ledge of their own affairs, and it is of the utmost import-
ance that the finencial state of'the country, resting as it
does on a perfectly secure basis—founded upon the increas-
ing trade of the country and the untiring energy and indus-
try of the people—should bo known not only to the popu-
lation of England, but throughout the whole world. I
have made this statement, relying upon the fairness of the
bowie in forming a plan which I have submitted to it—a
plan which doe, not involve any departure from the exist.'
ing principles of our financial system, and which is intended
merely to supply the deficiencies of the year by the re-
sources which I have laid before the committee. In pre-
paring this plan her Majesty's Goveinment have been most
anxious to arranee snob a system as would be suited to the
exigencies of affairs, and I rely with confidence on receiv-
ing the support of the house when it has examined in all
its details the plan which I have now had the honour of
submitting to it. The right hon. gentleman concluded by
moving the follewingreeolutione - •
towardaraising the Supply granted tuber Majesty;
thq Sum of 5;000,000e. be raisedby annuities..
e, That every contributor to the said sum of 5,0 :10,0001.
shall, for everyloo/. contributed and paid, be entitled to the
priaclpal snrn of 1071.105. 7,1. in annuities after the rate of
31.pereenturn, to commence from the .sth day of Jan.. 1856,
and to be added to and made one joint-stock with
the existing - -consolidated N. -per centaur-- annuities,-
and to be payable and transferable at the Bank of England
at the same twee and jA the same manner and subject to the