It we are going through a period of political doldrums, there is much else to give us good cheer. The profits of big sires are primarily, of course, for shareholders, but as a sign of the times they are for the encouragement of all. The Seléridge group, which also includes Waiteley's and D. H. Bvans & Co.,.increased its profits from £704,000 in 1993 to Ht may also be noted that the Southern Railway ere paying 4 per cent. on their Preference shares against only 3 a year ago. And the Liverpoot Steamship Owners As-represents 3,983,004 gross tons, or 19 per cent. of British Steam and motor tonnage—seys in annual report:
In reading judgments of the House of Lords one is invariably struck by tnolr forgoness and apparent simpllelty. But that, legal friends have fold me, is largely because all ex-traneens matter thas been weeded out before the ease comes to their Lordships. This, however, is Lord Tomlin's complaint, that the weeding 1 not done as it should be. ven for mighty Institutions ike the ravon-manufacturers, the thought that a case can run to the colossal Agure of £0,000 costs, seems pre~ posters us and' indefensiie, Mickey Mouse Art Tncome-tax, also, is coming in well, spite of the sixpence off. Last week's receipts were £20,240000 compared with £21,300,000 a year and of super-tax £3,600,000 against £300,000. Hitherto income-ax has yielded 22,000,000 more than atthe same day last year. The Chancellor budgetted for' £219,500.- (000 from income-tax; to. reach this sum 256,000,000 has' to be collected before April 8. From the collections mentioned above, it looks as if this should easily be done.
On the other hand, while total ordinary revenue to date is £13,700.- 000 less, expenditure is 212,400,000 more than a year ago; and there ix the expense of that dole bungle to be paid Is the spirit of Government economy, so vigorous in 1831 now dead? But Tam lapsing into pessimism again
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.