Mr. Hunt performed last night, in an official, methodical manner;-
the task of explaining a Budget to which circumstances had been- unpropitious. Last year had turned out not so bad as was feared. There was an apparent increase on the previous year's revenue of only 165,0001. ; but, making all rectifications, we got 808,6511. as the real expansion of revenue during 1867-68. The decrease of 508,0001. in the Excise was partly accounted for by the increase of the Customs. More spirits had been imported, displacing the native manufacture; and more corn, owing to the deficient harvest, which caused' people to spend less upon articles subject to excise. Besides, the nation was perhaps getting fonder of tea and less fond of alcohol. But the expenditure, including Abyssinia, showed an increase of 4,493,3321., thus :-
Expenditure 1866-67 £66,780,396
Ditto 1867-68 71,236,242
And the expenditure having been 71,236,2421., and the revenue only 69,600,0001., the deficit shown was 1,636,0001. The estimate of 2,000,0001. during the year for Abyssinia had proved about the mark.
