of commercial and financial policy which | posits; and, therefore, when the inducehas, on the one hand, not counteracted the ments to lay by money were to a certain blessings of Providence, and has, on the degree diminished. This increase, too, I other, materially aided the efforts of the am happy to say, arises not upon the country in relieving itself from its difficul- larger amounts or the old deposits, but ties. We have, by a judicious abolition from the greater number of smaller contriof restrictive duties-by a cautious, pru-butions. Considering that there are not dent, and yet progressive reduction of less than a million of contributors by whom those which, acting as protective duties, this money is paid, and that the easy cirenhanced the price of commodities-ob-cumstances of these individuals diffuse tained advantages which, under other cir- comfort over the families with which they cumstances, in former years were not are connected, I think it affords a cergained; the finances of the country were tain proof of the extent to which additional conducted by men of greater abilities than comfort has been enjoyed by the humble any that can be pretended to by the in-classes of the population. But I will dividual who addresses you; the seasons take another test of that improved condiwere favourable, the harvests abundant, tion in the increased consumption of exand yet the same results did not follow; ciseable commodities. In this point, we because neither the Government, the Par- this year stand in a peculiar situation. liament, nor the country, were prepared In other years we have had to congratufor the system which has been subse- late ourselves, that the deficiency of conquently adopted. But are the results of sumption of certain exciseable articles has this system to be traced only in financial been made up by a large increase in the prosperity? As a national object, that is consumption of others: but in this year most desirable in itself, but it derives ad- there is not one article subject to excise, ditional value when accompanied by a pro- in which the consumption has not ingressive increase in the comforts of the creased; from the top of the list to the people, an improvement of their social bottom there is no diminution. Taking habits, a great extension of education, together these two tests of the power and a growing attention to their moral and of consumption and accumulation, are they religious welfare. Has not that happy not strong evidence of the increased comconsequence resulted? Are not the com- fort and ease of the population? With forts of the people improved? How shall respect to the moral habits of the people, we test that improvement? Can I do take the test of the present state of crime. better than refer to that which is well There has been a great reduction in the known as the test often applied, and with number of committals for crime in different perfect justice, to ascertain this fact? parts of the country; there has been a deThe comfort of the people cannot be bet-crease of 7 per cent on the amount of ter tested than by seeing what are their crime committed in this period compared earnings, what are the amounts from their with the four years antecedent. Take limited incomes they have devoted to pe- another test, and one that indicates no cuniary accumulation. I will take the less surely the improvement in their moral average difference between the amount habits; I refer to the state of education invested in savings banks in the four during these four years, and the four years years previous to 1842 and the four years preceding them. We have, unfortunately, after, and see if it is not a test of what I no general statistics of education from seek to prove, that there is greater ease which to form a comprehensive view of the and comfort among the working popu- extent to which this benefit has been dislation. Taking the average of the dif- seminated; but we have partial statements ference between what was paid into and of the applications that have been made for withdrawn from the savings banks in the the establishment of schools in different four years previous to 1842, I find it districts, and the number of persons who was 357,000l.; in the four years subse- are desirous of being provided with educaquent to 1842, it has been no less than tion. Generally speaking, the number of 793,000l., or more than double the amount. persons of this class for whom applications And this, be it observed, took place, when have been made to the Board of Education, in the latter period there was an addi- has increased in this period in the proportional restriction imposed on the amount tion of 500 to 200. The greater desire on permitted to be deposited in savings banks, the part of the people to obtain educaand a reduced rate of interest paid on de- tion, I hold to be the surest evidence of

their anxiety to advance their own moral | vidence, to the policy which has been purwelfare. Again, take the efforts making sued by the Government; which, not hastily throughout the country to extend the be- nor rashly deranging existing interests, and nefits of religion to those so educated; thereby diminishing, by immediate sufferand I say that you complete the picture ing, the value of the ultimate benefit, has of the moral improvement of the people. cautiously introduced and safely effected There were times in this country when great and important changes essential to the Legislature thought itself entitled to the permanent welfare of the people. For high approbation, because, in the course my own part, I confess that I shall ever of a century, it had built fifty churches for review with humble satisfaction and thankthe purpose of communicating to the lower fulness the share which it has been my orders the benefits of religious truth. But lot to take in the several measures of in our own day, in the present period, I which it has been my privilege to bring am happy to say, we should not think it the results before the House. I shall much to have built fifty churches in the derive a yet higher gratification, if the course of a century; in a single year there effect of the observation of the past shall have been fifty churches built and endowed bc to impress upon Parliament for the with funds by the rich of the land, to future this important lesson-that if we, furnish temples in which, conjointly with with cautious attention to existing interests, the poor, they can offer up a common steadily and judiciously, but yet progresprayer for the prosperity of their common sively, reduce those burdens which more country. The ardour with which this ob- immediately press upon the industry and ject is pursued, and the equal ardour with comforts of the population, we shall adopt which congregations rush to them for in- the course the most conducive to individual struction, is, I think, conclusive evidence welfare; and shall, at the same time, place of the present improvement in the moral on a sure and solid foundation, not merely and religious habits of the people. Nor the financial interests, but the general can this be regarded as a mere transient prosperity and happiness of all classes improvement. The power of religious truth within this mighty Empire. The right is not of a fleeting character; it is hand-hon. Gentleman concluded by movinged down to succeeding generations, and permanently raises the character of the people. If I had not already too long trespassed on the attention of the House, I could adduce many circumstances, trifling, perhaps, in themselves, but collec- MR. F. T. BARING stated that there tively important, as bearing on the same could be no doubt that the mode of prepoint, and indicating the great improve-senting the financial statement on that ocment that has taken place in the manners casion was different from that which was of the population. I could state, we are pursued in former years, for it was cusno longer offended with those violent out-tomary to lay on the Table of the House rages which, under the name of amuse- the estimates of the amounts for the variments, were witnessed in former days by the observer of public morals. We find the people following amusements calculated to afford instruction as well as pleasure. They attend public institutions in greater numbers; the number of visitors to the British Museum has increased from 300,000 in a year to 600,000. Other institutions show a corresponding increase. And this improvement of the people in civilization, in morals and in religion, has taken place concurrently with the improved prosperity of the country in commercial and financial affairs. I think that I may then, without presumption, congratulate the House and the country on these happy results. I feel satisfied that I am not wrong in ascribing them mainly, under the blessing of Pro

"That, towards making good the Supply granted to Her Majesty, there be issued and applied to the service of the year 1846, the sum of 253,7381. §8. 11d., being the surplus of Ways and Means granted for the service of preceding years."

ous services, and then obtain the sanction of the House to provide for those charges, and thus the amount required was known. After this was done, it was the custom for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to state the amount of the revenue, so that the House might deal with any surplus that remained. He could not help making this observation on the present occasion, as he protested against adopting the present course as a general rule, as he thought the old course was by much the better and safer. No doubt there were specific reasons on the present occasion which rendered it necessary to depart from the usual course; for after the state of things in December last it was impossible, from regard to the commercial interests, to pursue the usual

course in making the financial statement. | into the Estimates he did not think that The result was, that at the present mo- the right hon. Gentleman had fairly stated ment all that could be done had been al- the expenditure-he (Mr. Baring) did not ready done, and they had now to consider mean according to the Votes, but in referwhat was the state of the finances of the ence to the actual charge for the year. It country. The right hon. Gentleman had was rather difficult to go into a statement gone into many points of great intricacy, of details on this subject so as to make which made it difficult to follow him. He them clear, but he would endeavour to do would, however, endeavour to do so. They so by some common illustrations. Suphad now to look at the balance for the year, pose that a person took a house, for which and see whether the increase was sufficient he was to pay 4007. a year rent, under the to meet the general amount of the expen- arrangement to pay it quarterly. It was diture; and for this purpose he should, as true that the last payment for the year was far as he could, make a general examina- not due until the 1st of January in the tion of the figures of the right hon. Gentle- new year. The person who took the man. It was difficult to follow figures at house might therefore say that the expense any time without the Papers; and he did for his house was only 3007. and not 4007.; not know whether he had taken the but if he wished to make a fair estimate of amounts stated by the right hon. Gentle- his expenditure, he must take into account man down accurately. He, therefore, the charge for the four quarters instead of should feel obliged to the right hon. Gen- the three. He put this as an illustration tleman if he would correct him if he was that Gentlemen might follow him; and every wrong; and if he should be so it could be one must see that the three quarters for no fault of the right hon. Gentleman, who one year would not do for the next year. had made his statements as clear as possi- It might be very convenient to take such ble. The House must have been sur- an expenditure for the year, but the prised to find that nearly the whole of the charge must come in the following year, speech of the right hon. Gentleman had and if he wished to look at the rate he was reference to the proceedings of himself and living at, he must take the actual charge. Colleagues. The right hon. Gentleman He (Mr. F. Baring) would take the Estihad shown, as it seemed to him, very great mates in this way, and he held the Army pleasure in going from the finances of the Estimates in his hand. He would take year into any other subject which at the the charge of the half pay and reduced mimoment presented itself to him, and had litary allowances, and he found that the followed it up by dilating on all the ad- actual estimate for that service for the vantages which might be derived from an year was 434,000l.; but the right hon. improved commercial code. He was sur- Gentleman did not take the whole amount, prised that the right hon. Gentleman had but only three quarters. He only proposed taken credit for the Government in that to take 326,000l., while the charge virtuHouse for the new system of education.ally was 434,000l. Thus he only took [The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had only referred to the extension of education as a proof of the improved moral feeling of the people.] He would not be tempted to go into this question; but he must add that he was sure it must now be gratifying to the right hon. Gentleman that he had not succeeded in his opposition to the improved system of education. Looking at what their present state was, he thought there was some apprehension whether they were not living above their income, and he was anxious to inquire what was both their income and expenditure. The surplus was set down at 760,000l., and to that was added the balance, 77,000l. of the China money; but that entirely depended on whether or not the right hon. Gentleman had correctly stated their expenditure and fairly estimated their income. In going

three quarters, and left the fourth quarter to the next year, when he would have to take it. By this means of proceeding a considerable reduction was apparently maintained; but when they came to the balance at the end of two years, the whole amount would be made applicable, and the real expenditure stated. He found the same proceeding held in other things. The Navy Estimates in this respect were correct; but he found in those for the Ordnance service the same discrepancy. He would not go through the figures; but he found that under the vote for the non-effective service of the Ordnance, 41,000l. less was put down than the real amount of the charge for the year. In this rate only three quarters were paid. Looking to the Ordnance expenditure, he found a charge made for works, building,

and repairs. Gentlemen were aware that | posed to give to the agriculturists for comthe usual mode of stating Estimates was to pensation. His hon. Friend did not use give the whole amount required for the works the word "compensation;" and he (Mr. and repairs. The sum was generally voted Baring) only used it now as a short way of in accordance as the work proceeded. They bringing the fact before the House. The agreed first as to the sum to be expended, right hon. Gentleman estimated the amount and then appropriated it by a vote as was of compensation to be given to the agriculrequired. Let them suppose that the sum turists at a sum amounting to about required was 50,000l.; that it was neces- 535,000l. Now, in looking through these sary to expend 10,000l. this year, that Papers, he could not find that 535,000l. apsum was then voted, and the remaining peared to be voted on the Estimates; he found 46,000l. went into the account of future a sum of 170,000l. for that purpose. He years. If they wanted the whole sum of did not see how this was made up. The 10,000l., it should be stated in the expen- right hon. Gentleman might have only taken diture of the year, and no part of it reserved half a year; but this was all that was to for the year following. It was very pos- be voted in the present year. It was not, sible that contracts might be so made that perhaps, unfair to state that they must a considerable portion of the expense should come in for a large balance at a future not be required nor paid within the year, period. If the charge was to be half a though the actual expenditure was proposed million for the future, it was most importfor that year. Thus they saw a very large ant that they should have some statement sum voted as required for the Ordnance as to the future. If they voted the sum service this year; but a considerable part proposed this year, they would have for the of the expense was postponed till next charge for the remainder of this year to year. In such a case, by only stating vote next year's expenses of 300,0007.; what was required this year, you had an and he believed that they would have to advantage in the year's accounts; but you pay fully that amount. Was, therefore, were also sure to increase the amount of the expenditure correctly stated? Their expenditure in the accounts of next year. balance was 766,000l., and, with the China By so doing, though you relieved the ac- money, about 865,000l.; but if not taking counts for the present year, you threw an the China money-and they hardly could additional weight into the year following. do so there was only a balance of 70,000l. It might be perfectly right, this new mode He was, therefore, assured that the right of stating accounts; he did not find fault hon. Gentleman was quite right in going with it, although he did not know the into a general speculation, and in sliding grounds upon which it had been adopted; from the actual subject before the House as and, at all events, he thought that the easily as he could. So much for the exthing called for explanation. It might be penditure: they now came to the income; perfectly correct to do this; but if you had and it was quite clear they had not the to give a statement of the expenditure for 700,000l. to meet the next year. He the year, by taking off one quarter the ex- might be told that they might next year penses would be apparently reduced; but reduce the expenditure; the expenditure of only reduced for a time, as they must this year may be larger than next year; again appear in the public accounts. He and next year there may be a reduction did not wish to trouble the House with any which will meet this. Now, in these proparticulars upon this point; but it seemed mises he had no faith. He had moved for to him that the Army expenditure was returns which had been laid on the Table, thus understated by 208,0007., and the Ord- with a view of showing to what state their nance estimates understated by 298,000l., expenditure had been brought. He could making altogether an understatement of not find, with the exception of the partiabout half a million upon the expenditure. cular reduction in duty alluded to-and for And, if they really wished to know what this reduction he gave the right hon. Genthey were spending, they should take away tleman every credit-that there had been this 500,000l. from the 700,000l. or any reduction in the expenditure at all. 800,0001. surplus which the right hon. He did not mean, in saying this, to blame Gentleman had promised. The House the Government; he could not see that the would recollect that his hon. Friend the Government was to blame. It should be reMember for the University of Oxford asked membered that the more a Government was ⚫ a question some time ago as to the pro-xious to reduce the expenditure, the s bable amount of the sum which it was po

tation could they have of a cot tit

duction; they could not always go on reduc- | in the expediency, wisdom, and justice of ing; and such a dependence upon reduction relaxing their commercial system; but he in the expenditure was but a feeble reed could not go with the right hon. Gentleman wherewith to support a financial system. when he told them that the prosperity of The hope was held out to them, that by the last three years was certainly attritaking off smaller duties they would mate-butable to the Tariff; and he still further rially lessen the expenses of collecting re-doubted the declaration that if they purvenue; but he found, taking the Customs, sued the same course they would ensure that the whole charge of collection was an unending prosperity. He looked upon very much about what it was in 1841, at this as a mistake: he thought to lay such the period before any of those changes a foundation upon these principles was unwere made. Some slight reductions must, fair; and he did not at all believe that the no doubt, be made by such a system; prosperity they had recently enjoyed was but the whole charge had very much in- the consequence solely of their policy. creased; and as no material diminution Even if they had done nothing, the last in the account appeared to have been three years would have been more prosmade since 1841, they could not calcu- perous than former years; he believed they late upon any great reduction for the had done what was right, and that they future. The result was, that the Esti- had added to the benefits which otherwise mates now submitted to the House were would have accrued to them-they had the largest proposed for those services since made hay while the sun shone; but the the year 1822. He believed those Esti- sun would not shine for ever. Whether mates to be of the necessary and right under a system of free trade or not, they amount, and he did not blame the right could not rely upon such an uninterrupted hon. Gentleman; but he must be allowed good fortune; he was unaware of any seto add the remark, that if hon. Gentlemen cret in politics which could secure them supposed that by any change of Govern- that blessing, and they must expect tempoment they supposed they could reduce the rary reverses even under the most perfect expenses of the main services of the coun- political system. The income which had try, they would always find themselves been derived from corn would in three mistaken. It might be unfair to charge years disappear. He did not lay any stress the right hon. Gentleman opposite with re- upon that, for he anticipated no real loss; sults which might be supposed to proceed and in regard to the timber duties, the from measures adopted by Gentlemen on measure would come into operation next his (Mr. Baring's) side of the House; but year; and, whatever other effect this the fact was, that even with Lord Aber- would have, it would erase a considerable deen presiding over our foreign affairs, and amount of revenue, to meet which they after the present Government had had am- should have a certain surplus. That made ple time to follow their own course, the Esti- two items for their calculation; and then mates had largely increased, not from any there was a third. When the income tax peculiar policy, but from the necessity of was introduced, a promise was made that circumstances. They were increasing from it should cease, certainly at the end of six, year to year; and he freely owned, he saw and perhaps in three years; their revenue, no great prospects of any material reduc- therefore, of 5,000,000l. was not a permation in them. The Miscellaneous Estimates nent income unless that tax became perhad also increased. He had often remark-manent; and if this 5,000,000l. as well ed that whenever the Miscellaneous Estimates were discussed, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was almost left alone in the House, and that the House was sometimes exceedingly stingy about stationery, whilst at others it was exceedingly pressing for a considerable sum to be paid for Danish claims. He returned again to the estimates of income. He would accept the estimate of the right hon. Gentleman; but when the right hon. Gentleman calculated so much upon what had been done in the last three years, he listened to him with some misgivings. He perfectly concurred

as the corn were gone, what did the right hon. Gentleman expect? He had been always hostile, and still was, to the income tax as a permanent part of the financial system of this country. Before he sat down he wished to put a question to the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It was stated by the right hon. Gentleman that he had increased the balances in the Exchequer; and, of course, nothing could be more satisfactory than to see those balances increased as much as possible. It was said that he (Mr. Baring) had left them low, and he should be glad