The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1916. THE EMPIRE'S FINANCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 4, 7 April 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1916. THE EMPIRE'S FINANCE.

If any possible doubt existed regarding Imperial finance, or the ability of Britain to carry the enormous burden of expenditure the war has forced on her, the summary of the greatest British Budget ever introduced ought to be reassuring. Mr McKenna, in bringing i forward the Government's -proposals, I does not appear to have done more than place concrete facts before the nation, and to have just said enough to explain by what methods the enor'i mous war cost is to bo met. Substantial increases in taxation were expect- . ed, because the war indebtedness is j tremendous, and it is mounting every i day. It is a great thing to be able to J impose another three hundred million sterling of taxation at such a time, I and to know that the country can | bear the strain. Further, such evij dence of immense financial resource s must be helpful to our Allies. Some | German writers of late have warned 1 their countrymen against, the mistake | of underestimating Britain's determin- | atio'n and resources. Sir George Paish J recently remarked that Britain is I standing the strain of war, both economically and financially, in a manner \ that has surpassed the expectations of her friends and exceed the envy and despair of her enemies. The revenue I for the year 1913-14 was £198,213,000. i In 1915-16 it increased to £336,707,000, , and it is estimated that the revenue (for the present financial year will reach the huge total of £509,000,000. With such tremendous facts known to Germany it is not wonderful to learn of tho howl of execration which goes up against England. It has been computed that the people of the Unite-' Kingdom are being taxed at an average of £ll per bead, while in New Zea land for the financial year 1914-15 oui taxation was less than half, per capita, the sum named. It is the Empire's war, and we ought to he doing mere than we are doing. The Government ought, at least, to make .some eftort, to lew a little more on extra) war profits which are (lowing steadily in through some channels, while other concerns and individuals are bearing mere than a. lair share of the burden.