4 MARCH 1949, Page 5

The indispensable Whitaker, having just published its 81st volume —that

for 1949—takes occasion to recall that at the time of its first issue, in 1869, the national income was £75,000,000, income tax 5d. in the £, and the total of the National Debt £743,000p00. For 1949 the figures are £3,765,300,000, 9s. (running up to 195. 6d. in the highest surtax ranges) and £25,621,000,000 respectively. So, at least, Whitaker. In spite of that I suppose quite a lot of people would

sooner be living in 1949 than in 1869. Are they right, I wonder. Jatrus.