,Finance—Public & Private
Popularising Economy
MUCH has been said and written of late concerning National Economy, and in a vague kind of way I suppose general assent is given to the idea that it would be a good thing if the National Expenditure were less and taxation were reduced. The fact-remains, however, that so far as the forthcoming ,Budget at all events is concerned we seem farther off than ever either from a reduction in the Expenditure or from a lightening of the burden of taxation. The great Economy Meeting in the City of a few weeks ago, to which I-referred in these columns, was highly successful as -a demonstration, and it has been succeeded by many important meetings in the Provinces. Nevertheless, the Economy movement moves slowly.
Chancellors of the Exchequer are constantly telling us that they desire nothing better than to economise, but the pressure of Members of Parliament is too strong for them, and these Members of Parliament in their turn tell 'us that the pressure comes from their constituencies, in other words, from •the electors themselves. It would seem, therefore, that if there is ever to be drastic economy in the Exchequer outgoings, and especially in the outgoings for unproductive services, it will be necessary that the Will of the People shall be in the direction of such economies. For better or for worse democratic power is now firmly seated, and it is difficult to imagine any Reform being carried through upon an enduring basis that does not express the will of the people as a whole. I suggest, therefore, that the task with which all are concerned in bringing about National economies is that of persuading the electors that such economies are in their own interests. How is that to be accomplished ?
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