§ But in spite of that nothing has hindered the growth of Expenditure. [OPPOSITION cheers.] In response to those cheers, I think it is necessary for me to point out that, with very trivial exceptions, it is expenditure which has been the result of pressure from both sides of the House—at least the great bulk of it—and as a matter of fact it would have been much greater if we had responded to that pressure. The increase in the expenditure of this year over that of last year is very considerable. As to the reason for that expenditure, it is expenditure which is essential for the growth of any civilised or healthy community. There is a considerable growth in the Education Estimates. There is a substantial growth in Old Age Pensions. Labour Exchanges are responsible for an increase in the expenditure of the year, and I am glad to be able to say that they are an unqualified success. Valuation is responsible for something under £500,000. The Development Grant accounts for £900,000. A sum of £600,000 is voted for the purpose of improving the roads of the country.
§ Ireland is responsible for an increase of something like £700,000 on education, land purchase, congested districts, as well as old age pensions. As a matter of fact the increased expenditure on Ireland for this year alone is more than the total which we expect to derive from that country in respect of the new taxes. If the old age pensions for last year were added, the contribution of Ireland towards these taxes would be something like one-fifth the amount she gets out of them. But the greatest growth of all has been in the Navy. The increase here has been considerable — something like £5,500,000. Last year there was an increase of nearly £3,000,000; this year there is another increase of about £5,500,000. 1125 I would remind the House, by giving one or two figures, how expenditure upon the Navy has grown during the last few years. In 1886 the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a Conservative Government resigned his position rather than assent to Navy Estimates of a little over £13,000,000. To-day there are £40,600,000 and I believe some people are not satisfied even with that. The total expenditure of the year, as the Committee will find by referring to the Papers that have been circulated, comes to £171,857,000. In addition to that, we have the deficit of last year, for which I have to make provision, £26,248,000. Then there are arrears of payments to the Local Taxation Account, also dealt with in last year's account, amounting to £825,000, making £27,073,000 in respect of last year. Therefore, the total amount I have to provide this year is £198,930,000.