PAYING THE PIPER FOR LONG SWORDS, SADDLES, BRIDLES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 133, 10 February 1874, Page 2

PAYING THE PIPER FOR LONG SWORDS, SADDLES, BRIDLES.

Sir,— Since the. termination of the Crimean war, the Army and Navy estimate is 26 millions per annum. These sums are so enormous that it is only by comparison we can imagine their magnitude. According to the officially published annual statistics, the total amount of coal produced in the United Kingdom has averaged for the last seven years 22 millions sterling or 4 millions less Army and Navy. Hence all our coals united will not suffice to maintain our Army and Navy. And all the coal, iron, lead, copper, tin, zinc, silver, produced in the United Kingdom have averaged during these last seven years, 37 millions per annum, or about IS millions plus war expenditure. In the Post Office, Savings Bank, in 1867, was 9,700,000, in other Savings Banks throughout the Kingdom 36j millions. The total annual receipts, of” all the railways in the United Kingdom for passengers, and goods, are 38 millions. The average value of all the wheat, barley, maize, and flour, imported into the United Kingdom, for seven years past, is 30 millions per annum, or only 4 millions plus throat cutting. No wonder many are almost starved. The average of cotton imported into the United Kingdom for seven years, is 29 millions exactly the cost of Army and Navy 1868 No wonder the manufacturing population have to work hard to keep soul and body together. All the paupers in the United Kingdom cost — 1871—£9,500,000; one third of the expense of the Army and Navy.— Yours, &c, P.S.P.