184 REPOET— 1870. 



But I venture to raise another question. I doubt whether the remission of tax- 

 ation does as much good at the present day as it would at a future time. There 

 are comparatively few signs that the wages of the working classes, even when suf- 

 ficient, are saved and applied really to advance the condition of the recipients. All 

 is expended in a higher scale of living, so that little permanent benetit results ; 

 and when bad trade comes again, there is as much distress as ever. It is only with 

 the increase of education and temperance that the increase of wages will prove a 

 solid advantage. Thus, when the really hurtful taxes are removed," it by no means 

 follows that the further remission of taxes leads to the proiitable expenditure of 

 income. The money may be spent in a way far more profitable to the whole nation 

 than it will be spent by those whose taxes" are remitted. 



I am glad, on this and many other accoimts, that the propriety of reducing the 

 national debt is begioning to be very generally recognized. The question was ably 

 raised by Mr. Lambert during the recent session, and, both in the House of Com- 

 mons and in the newspaper press, many strong opinions were expressed in favour 

 of reduction. In fact, there was almost a general feeling that Mr. Lowe's small 

 measure of reduction was altogether inconsiderable compared with our opportunities 

 and the greatness of the task before us. During every interval of peace we ought 

 to clear off the charges incurred during the previous war, otherwise we commit the 

 serious eiTor of charging to capital that which should be borne by income. If a 

 railway company needs periodically to renew its works, and charges all the cost to 

 capital, it must eventually become insolvent ; so if at intervals we require to main- 

 tain the safety and independence of this country or its possessions by war, and do 

 it all by borrowed money, we throw the whole cost of our advantage upon poste- 

 rity. If, indeed, one great war could fi-ee us from all future danger we might 

 capitalize the cost and leave it as a perpetual mortgage upon the property of the 

 country ; but if the effect of any war wears out, and we are liable to be involved 

 in new wars at intervals, then we cannot fairly or safely go adding perpe- 

 tually to the mortgage upon the national property. The wars at the commence- 

 ment of this century have secured for us fifty years or more of nearly unbroken 

 peace, and yet at the end of this period of ever-advancing wealth, the gi-eat debt 

 stands almost at the same figm-e as at the commencement. We enjoy the peace and 

 leave our descendants to pay its cost. 



If it be said that this country is now far wealthier and more able to endure the 

 annual charge of the debt than ever before, I woidd point out that the expense of 

 war IS also gi-eatly increased. If we consider the cost of the Abyssinian Expedi- 

 tion, or the vast debts which other nations have lately or are now incun-ing, it is 

 evident that we may have in a great war to incur hundreds of millions of debt, or 

 else relmquish om- prominent position. Let us hope that such calamities will be 

 spared to us, but let us not suppose that we may avoid them by being negligent 

 and unprepared. It is not many months since Mr. Lowe declared that we must 



„„„ by „..^„.^ 



for the reduction of the debt worthy of his boldness and the sui-plus at hiscom- 

 mand. But the fact is, that little can be done in such a matter by any minister 

 unless he be supported by a strong public opinion. 



The remarks which I most wished to make are now completed, and there only 

 remam one or two mmor topics to which I will more briefly allude. 



The excessive mortaUty in great towns seems to demand more close attention 

 than it has received. Por many years Livei-pool stood at or near the top of the 

 list as regards mortality, but by strenuous efforts it has been rendered more healthy. 

 Manchester, on the other hand, although often considered the best paved, best 

 watered, and m some other respects the best managed town in the country, has lately 

 taken a very high or even the highest place as regards mortality. In Salford, too, 

 the death-rate has steadily gi-own in recent years. It would seem as if we were 

 entu-ely at fault, and that all our officers of health, sanitary commissioners, and the 

 improvements of science and civilization cannot prevent nearly twice as many 

 people from djnng as woidd die in a healthy and natm-al state of" things. 



Withm the last few months attention has been di-awn to this subject by a pro- 



