, 1884-03-26

UOulN IndhC SOuIC 1CIldIhS uDOlI y VI CAN
total deficit, $45,275.93 was caused by the
Colonial Treasury'S guarantee to the share
holders of the Factory. He believed tina
it was to be expected that the factory
would soon be in a position itself to fluff
this obligation and it would therefore disap
pear. There would still remain a deficit OF
$34, 714.38. To arrive at all opinion with
regard TO the possibility of reducing this
amount or avoiding a deficit altogether
we must consider, LIST, The Revenues. The
experience Of Is years, from 1865 to 1888
had shewn that the average revenue was
S165,S25. During that period the highest
revenue was in 1871-72 and was S21O,479.49.
1t was due to the very good crop OF that
year and the high prices Obtained. The
lowest revenue, i'll 1874 5, was >1lS,292.T
Now it could not be expected that the
revenue in future will be much more than
the average. REPRODUCTION should increase,
then of course the revenue would Increase,
as we nave seen from the example OF
1912: this might be, but it would be a
matter of time. For some years to COME
the revenue will vary between $4,000 and
$178,OO0 dollars. That will be the ordinary
revenue from present sources, and it IS
very doubtful whether new sources OF
revenue could be created. Secondly, we
must consider the Expenditure. Taking
the years trpm 1888 it was found that
the expenditure ranged from 3l97 900 to
1903, 900. How far could this expenditure
be reduced! Here we had good experience
to guide us. If we take the period from
1869 10 81, it included a period OF sad
memO"y when the expenditure WaS reduced,
and in 1873 it stood as low as $l39,959;
but the proper limit of reduction had been
passed, and the following year counted an
expenditure of $2OI, 40, With an expert
ence of that kind in view the Government
and the Council will always be careful i'll
making reductions. He would quote a
good authority for saying that it was not
just and right to try it again. The Royal
Commission investigated the Budget,
among Other matters, and came TO the con
C~lusiOn, as stated i'll their report, tina
when all necessary amounts are pOStel the
expenditure would he $685. 44 yearly,
besides an expenditure once for all OF
$25, 1l0. This Opini III OF the Commission
was based on a consideration of all the
circumstances OF the island. The improve
ments recommended by the Commission
were, an increase of the military force up
to its present strength, which was done at
once; the change in the Administrator
which has been lately accomplished; a more
thorough Police control in the Country
districts a better system of public ms rue
ton; and improvements i'll the Sanitary
Department, including a hospital Tor leperS
and for the insane. With the exception OF
establishing the hospital for lepers and
insane persons, all those Improvements
recommended by the Royal Commission
have been carried out or will be carried out
very soon; therefore it is not astonishing
that the expenditure is not decreasing. II
then it were asked whether the expenses
could be reduced, the question must be
answered in the negative. Therefore there
was no other hope for the future than tC
look to the Mother Country for help, and
he believed we could do this with perfect
confidence. The Mother Country is not
going to desert her colonies, either the one
or the other. In this matter the Council
might nave a good conscience, as Govern
ment would not propose, nor the Council
vote, anything but what was necessary
With regard to extra outlay it would be
with the consent of the Ministry at home.
He would add to these general remarks only
one or Two references to details. On iht
Revenue side the income from the School
department. would have to be omitted. In
regard to the Police Station at Kingshlll 1t
was intended to rebuild he sta ion anl the
surrounding wall, at an estimated cost OF
$3.50. The staff would consist Of two
policemen from each Gown, ami there would
only he appointed one new officer, an over
policeman. TIL mel would form IL GuarC
to be relieved at intervals, and would
receive % cents a day extra to provide
food while in the country. The whole COS
o.-A - O. Snn xvnnp Hh4