Mr. Brodrick's Indian Budget speech on the 12th inst. was
in the main decidedly optimistic in tone. The surplus originally estimated in 1903-04 was 2948,700, but had been exceeded by 21,762,500, the yield from duties indicated growing prosperity, and last year's reduction of the Salt-tax had resulted in a satisfactory increase in consumption. This year, however, the Government had estimated for a smaller revenue and increased expenditure, owing to changes being effected in the re-armament of the Army and to the demands of Lord Kitchener's mobilisation scheme, which was being con- sidered by the Indian Government. Dealing with drought and famine, he affirmed that whereas formerly it took years for India to recover from famine, recovery was now possible in a short time. This was largely due to the development of the railway system, which it was proposed further to improve by the creation of a Railway Board. He urged Members who desired to reduce taxation to remember that costly reforms in connection with the police and primary education still re- mained to be executed. Finally, in order to diminish the tremendous strain on our administrators, he proposed to appoint an additional member to the Viceroy's Council, who would deal with matters connected with commerce and industry.
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