13 MAY 1922, Page 12

THE BLOT ON THE BUDGET.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—lt seems surprising that so few critics of the Budget concentrate attention on the real blot—that is, the extravagant and burdensome estimate of 017,000,000 for the Civil Service. The country was well governed in the year before the War by a Civil Service which cost less than £60,000,000, and an estimate of double that sum, or £120,000,000, ought to be amply sufficient now. It follows that during the last three years two hundred millions of unnecessary taxes have been imposed each year upon the nation. Why does not Parliament, whose first duty it is to guard the national purse and prevent the depression of commerce by needless taxation, take a decisive stand and refuse to vote these two hundred millions?—I am,

Sir, &c., A. J. DE HAVILLKND BESIINELL.

12 Suffolk Square, Cheltenham.