The Duke of Argyll made a statement in the House
of Lords on Friday week on Indian finance. It was overloaded with details, but it was clear and very satisfactory. He showed that the revenue of India had increased from £33,400,000 in 1856, to £48,500,000 in 1868-69, an increase of £15,100,000, of which only half is due to new taxes. He also showed that trade had increased from £55,000,000 in 1856, to £94,500,000 in 1866- 67. On the other hand, the expenditure has increased rather faster, the expenses being £49,500,000, or a million more than the income. The increase is in all departments, but some of it is chargeable to public works, which are, in a financial sense, luxuries, and the Duke thinks he can knock a million off the military expenditure. He will do it, we doubt not, if he will just remember one rule, to cut salaries last. If he will leave them alone, or "double up" appointments instead of starving both holders, the departments will assist him heartily in securing economy. If not, they will not, and he will not save a shilling per cent. It is far easier in India to abolish a service than to dock it of a shilling in the pound, and very few officials in full work are now overpaid. Anglo-Indians have no amusements, and if the Great Mogul will but pay them, he may over-work them to death without their grumbling.
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