GOVERNMENT EXTRAVAGANCE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' SIR,—It is impossible to overstate the value of your efforts lo enforce economy in public expenditure. To make a Budget balance is no proof that we are not rushing into bankruptcy. Hundreds of firms are now mortgaging their properties in order to pay taxes and rates, and yet much leeway has yet to be made up in order to restore the country's assets to their pre-war standard. To show what the burden of the Govern- ment expenditure (not including rates) is take the following. There are, about 8,000,000 households in Great Britain. Of these about 2,000,000 households or their equivalent are occupied by idlers, pleasure seekers and persons busily but uselessly employed in dancing attendance on the former. There- fore before there can be either food or clothing for the people each household, on Government account alone, has to earn .e200 per annum, against a pre-war 233. In my opinion, it cannot be, is not being, done, and in consequence wo are living on our capital.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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