§ How am I to obtain the necessary money for the settlement of this very heavy account? I dismiss borrowings. One way, of course, to balance the account would be to effect a saving of expenditure, and the other is by raising taxes. I should like to say one word on the first before I come 501 to the second question. The path of the economist is hard. His is not a very attractive or popular role in any Government. One might infer that the first object of a finance minister who has to face a heavy deficit would be to inquire as to possible economies, with a view, if not of obviating new imposts altogether, at all events lightening them as far as possible. Last summer, when there was a suspicion that I might possibly do my level best to seek out economies and make a beginning in that respect, what was the result? I saw paragraphs in responsible Opposition journals accusing me of impertinence in instituting a search into possible economies in some of our most expensive services. What happened? Merely because I proposed to inquire, merely because I sought investigation, myself and my colleagues were subjected to such persistent abuse, insults, and scurrility as few Ministers have ever been subjected to, merely for desiring inquiry. I am still of opinion that it is worth this country's while to inquire thoroughly into its affairs, but I am equally clear that until public opinion is educated up to the point of assenting to the institution of that inquiry, and therefore giving the necessary support, no substantial results will be achieved in that way. Therefore I fall back upon the other resource of raising taxes and of so meeting and liquidating the demand.