The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-21 00:00:00

commercial distress, and the consequence was, riot only '
that the House of ommons was not in a condition to
abandon the income tax, but that the eh:ll43ller of the
Exchequer had to impose an addition to it, and also to
create a debt of 6,00:',000/. Was that any encouragement
to them to pass now a resolution like that before the
house ? The result of the calculations with regard to the
proceeds of the succession duty also showed how futile it
was to enter into computations •and speculations as to
what the expenditure and income would be at a future
period. All they could do was, to avoid doing any-
thing in the meantime, either by unnecessary expen-
diture, or, by unnecessary or hasty additions to taxa-
tion, to endanger the settlement which the country
and the hoilse had set their hearts upon. Beyond that
he contended no Government had power to go. (Hear.)
Having been enabled to apply himself effectually to
this subject, he trusted that what he had stated would
be received as his sincere convictions. He only wished he
had been in.a condition to have done more justice to it.
(Cheers.)
Mr. LAING said the hon. gentleman who had just sat
down had asked what prap:hal object any member on that
(the Ministerial) side of the house proposed to himself in
voting for the motion of the right hon. gentleman oppo-
site. He now rose to answer that question. He proposed
to entertain the object which was entertained in 1848,
when the Ministers in that year having brought in a
budget containing estimates Which were considered by the
house excessive, that budget was sent back to them for re-
vision, and a new budget was proposed with estimates
framed with greater attention and care, which gave the
country for many years to come a saving of no loss than
between 2,000,0001. and 3,000,0001. in the amount of the
annual expenditure. (Hear) Mr. Gladstone had stated the
remarkable fact that from 1342 to 1843, the expenditure
of this country had remained stationary, while in the four
years from 1853 to 1.57 the ordinary permanent ex-
penditure had increased between 5,000,0001. and 6,000,000/.
sterling. It was therefore quite time for every one who
called himself a practical reformer to bestir himself in order
to resist this increasing expenditure. The more he looked
upon the estimates the less encouragement he felt iu the
hope that the revenue would next year come up to the ex-
penditure. Comparingithe estimates of 1843 with those
of the present year he found that whereas the charge for
manufactories, docks, and steam-engine factories had in
that year amounted to 2,700,0001., the estimate for the
present year amounted to 3,800,0001.—being an increase of
1,100,0001., or about 45 per cent, of the whole expenditure
of 1853. It was now proposed to expend on new military
and naval erections 1,506,0001., whereas the amount
charged under the same head in 1853 had been only
051,000/. He did not see why such expenditure should be
incurred, and though the annihilation of the Russian fleet
and the general results of the war went to show that it was
not now required.
On the motion of Mr. JAMES M`GREGOR the debate
was then adjourned. _ _ _

The Reformatory Schools Bill was road a second time,
and ordered to be committed on next Friday fortnight.
The lonian Subjects Commission Bill passed through
committee.

The Public Health Supplemental Bill (1857) passed
through committee without discussion.
The Grand Juries (Irelani) Bill was brought in, and-
ordered to be read a second time on Monday..
Mr. MAGUIRE "roved for leave to bring in a bill to
amend.the act for lighting, cleansing, and watching cities
and corporate and market towns in Ireland.