Operation of proposed plan.One-third of the beer and spirit duties in England = 8,688,000l., one-half in Scotland = 2,355,000l. The financial result of this plan is therefore as follows:—
England.
Scotland.
Ireland.
£
£
£
Revenue handed over to national authorities
14,325,000
1,274,000
650,000
Estate duties
—
—
874,000
Add beer and spirits duties, proportions handed over
8,688,000
2,355,090
3,290,000
23,013,000
3,629,000
4,814,000
Expenditure on civil administration
22,519,000
3,227,000
5,919,000
Surplus.
494,000
Surplus.
402,000
Deficiency.
1,105,000
How the deficiency in the case of Ireland might be met.The deficiency shown in the above table in the case of Ireland might be met by assistance from Imperial funds for a fixed period of, say, ten years. Such assistance might be given by the Imperial authority retaining the control of and bearing the whole of the charges for the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin police, but handing over to the national authority any saving from the gradual replacement of the semi - military police by less costly forces under the control of local authorities; or, if the control of the constabulary be surrendered by the Imperial Parliament, by a grant equivalent to the present cost of maintenance (viz., about 1,400,000l.). Ireland would be started with a surplus of 300,000l., which should be increased at the end of the period to 1,000,000l. by savings on the police force alone. Large savings may be anticipated under other heads of civil government expenditure, which in Ireland is admittedly excessive. All savings would be under the control of the national authority, and could
