Everyone who wants money spent will be able to make out a plausible case, either that the amount is so small or the object is so important that what he asks must be granted, and he will have some eager constituents to back him up.  The best chance for economy is to have a body of men whose decisions the House will respect and not overrule, except for really good cause, who have both the knowledge and the strength of character to go through the estimates and call attention to the cases in which substantial reductions could be effected, or proposals for increased expenditure refused.  It will not be an agreeable task, and now probably less popular than ever.  The masses admire lavish expenditure whether by public bodies or by the private person who spends his money “like a gentleman,” and it is to be feared there will not be much help from the women electors, as women, although they may practise economy occasionally themselves, usually regard it as a most objectionable virtue in a man.  How often in families do we find the mother and sisters will admire the self-indulgent idle youth who spends money freely even if he borrows from them, rather than the steady, plodding son who, by rigid economy and personal self-denial, helps to provide them with the means of livelihood!

Turning to the other side of the account, what can be done to increase the revenue of the State?  It has been estimated that for the year 1919-20 it will amount to L900,000,000, but of this L300,000,000 is excess profits duty, which can hardly continue—­in its present form at least—­beyond the period during which additional expenditure above the permanent normal requirements is needed, in order to carry out demobilisation.  Putting the permanent charge to meet interest on debt and the cost of the public services at L670,000,000, there may be a deficit even if the present rate of taxation is maintained, and the normal expenditure remains at its existing level.  There will be no surplus for the reduction of debt, or to meet new demands.  Some new sources of revenue must, if possible, be found, and the old ones require readjustment.

Income tax, if levied on the present system, has touched the extreme limit.  A rate of taxation willingly borne to meet the cost of war while danger threatened will be felt more and more burdensome as time goes on.  To meet a higher income tax there will be pressure to increase salaries paid by the Government and all public authorities.  An official salary fixed at L5,000 a year when income tax was one shilling and sixpence, may be thought insufficient when it is nearly ten shillings including super-tax.  Persons have incurred liabilities for rent and other fixed payments which they are not able to reduce.  All along the line there will be claims for higher payments for services rendered or goods supplied.  On the other hand, industrial undertakings will have to pay more for the capital they must borrow to carry on and develop their work, and 6 per cent. instead