NATURE OF THE RISE.
It is, however, when we come to note the nature of the advance compared with the War period that the figures become even more striking and suggestive. In view of the colossal War debt, it is not surprising to find that the Consolidated Fund charges have increased since the War from £37,000,000 to £413,000,000, though there is little doubt that but for the continued high expenditure the Consolidated Fund charges would by now have become smaller through favourable conversions. Again, when noting the increase as compared with the War period in Civil Service expenditure from £54,000,000 to £243,000,000, due allowance can be made for the fact that of this increase £67,000,000 is accounted for by War pensions. Even, however, when that .dedUction has been made, the fact still remains that. Civil SerYice outlays amount to £176,000,000, a total considerably more than three times that of 1913-14, although the general cost of living as measured by commodity prices shows only a fifty per cent. increase over the pre-War period. Our present figure for education is nearly £50,000,000 against £19,000,000 before the War, while what are described as " unclassified '.' services represent a total of £22,000,000 compared with nil in the pre-War period. Very full and detailed information with regard to these unclassified services would seem to be called for.
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