HC Deb 30 April 1906 vol 156 c297

Now, Sir, I approach the more agreeable, as I am sure it will be the more interesting, part of my task. But before I deal with taxation, there are two other encroachments upon the disposal of the surplus which I feel myself obliged to provide. Out of all my colleagues who sit on this bench, if I were asked which were the sturdiest and most valiant beggars, I should without any hesitation divide the prize between two of them—;the President of the Board of Education and the Postmaster-General. There is, however, a point of distinction between them. The Postmaster-General, as I have already acknowledged, is a revenue-providing instrument. He brings grist to the mill. But the President of the Board of Education—;though there is much about him and his office which appeals to our higher nature—;does nothing, or less than nothing, to grease the financial wheels, unless, indeed, you can call the dust of controversy a lubricant. I will deal first with his demands.