The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-17
BRITAIN PROSPEROUS
SURPLUS REVENUES FOR THE PAST
FISCAL YEAR OVER $:1 900, 600.
budget Statement Presented to the
House OF Commons by the Chanccl-
lor OF the Exchequer.

LONDON, April 16.--In the House of Com
mons to-day the Chancellor OF the Ex-
chequer, Sir Michael Hicks Beach. made the
budget statement. He said that the surpiu,
for 1855 was f4.3oo00 and he estimated
the expenditure for the current year at $780,
0E.o0o. The Chancellor Of the Exchequel
SAID that this had been wonderful year
and one of unexampled revenues in spite OF
the fact that the expenditures had been the
largest since the great war. The surplus was
the largest ever known and a larger sun
was devoted to the reduction of the national
working classes. he continued. judging from
the consumption OF tea, tobacco and sugar
had materially improved and 1t was a re-
marlSaIble fact that while the decrease ir
the exports and imports for the first six
months amounted to f7.5s1.ooO. the increase
for the second half of the year amounted
to f2& 22S. 900. Tea. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
further remarked, was driving coffee out oil
the market and British and Irish spirits
were entirely displacing foreign spirits. The
increase in the Importation of tea was fl0.-
000. 900 from India and Ceylon and replacing
so much Chinese tea. The increase In the
import of tobacco was los, 900 pounds.
The increase in the Importation of tobacco
was f10S.000 over the estimate. chiefly for
cigarettes. The customs authorities calcu-
lated. he added. that 100000 yearly was
cigars and cigarettes. The imports OF wine
had increased Fl, coo; light wines were
preferred. Beer had increased f617,0O0 the
death duties were fz,SSl,oOo and stamps
f1.623,000
Referring to the estimates for the current
year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said
that the expenditures were placed at f100.-
nd n
fl0l. 900. Touching on the proposed reduc-
ton In expenses. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
said that the & to, to reduce ne
to Id, which would absorb 100000 Of the
surplus; allot $4,000 to reducing the rating of
the farm lands, devote f4ss.oo0 for the edu-
cation bill and 100000 to a slight alteration
of the death duties. This. he continued,
would leave a modest surplus for contin-
gencies.
the Right Hon. r. w. Hamburg, in the
House Of Commons to-day. replying to a
question. said that representations had been
order regarding the mailing Of newspapers
from that country by American line steam
ers alone. and a reply to this communication
was awaited by the government.
The budget statement Is commented on
by all the newspapers The Times and the
Conservative organs praise the budget. The
Graphic, las friend Of the government"
ing. that 1t is anything but a landlord
budget" The Daily News. the Liberal or
gan. says: Nobody who is not a landlord
will have any cause to thank the Chancellor
of the Exchequer" The Daily News also
complains that the income tax has not been
reduced
The Chronicle NiberaD says: His speech
establishes Sir Michael Hicks Beach's repu-
tation and will rank him among the great
Chancellors of the Gladstone type, but there
Is nothing to praise in his policy. The rich
man with rent roll is the only man who
will get relief"