In the Vote for Colonial Services there was an increase of nearly 40,000_l._, due largely to an augmented grant in aid to Somaliland for defence against the Mullah. Only 10,000_l._, however, was required as a grant in aid to Uganda. A vote of 220,000_l._ for the Persian loan represented the amount required to make good the sums advanced to the Persian Government in the three preceding financial years, to provide the funds needed to maintain order. CLASS VI.--NON-EFFECTIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS. 1914-15. 1913-14. Decrease. 1,076,907_l._ 1,083,321_l._ 6,414_l._ Several Votes had been transferred to Class VII., and the title altered. Under International Exhibitions 19,750_l._ was included in respect of the Exhibitions at Leipzig (books) and Paris (art furniture). CLASS VII.--OLD AGE PENSIONS, LABOUR EXCHANGES, INSURANCE, ETC. 1914-15. 1913-14. Increase. 21,036,650_l._ 20,460,926_l._ 575,724_l._ The figures for 1913-14 included supplementary grants of 347,650_l._ and 14,653_l._ transferred from Class VI. The Votes connected with National Health Insurance showed a net increase of 512,211_l._ Part of this was due to the increased grants for treatment of tuberculosis, part to provision for a large temporary staff to deal with the claims of societies for reserve values--a work taking eighteen months to two years. The increase in the Old Age Pensions Vote was 110,000_l._ as compared with 400,000_l._ in the previous year, and the anticipated increase of pensioners 16,000 as against 27,000. The increases in earlier years were exceptional. REVENUE DEPARTMENTS. 1914-15. 1913-14. Increase. 30,847,915_l._ 28,898,720_l._ 1,949,195_l._ The Inland Revenue Estimate showed a net increase of 176,670_l._, mainly due to acceleration of the completion of the valuation under the Finance (1909-10) Act of 1910. The Post Office Estimate showed a net increase of 1,772,510_l._, due largely to increases in pay following the recent recommendations of the Holt Committee. The Budget, which had been postponed because the Chancellor of the Exchequer had temporarily lost his voice, was taken on May 4. It had been awaited with special interest in view of the Prime Minister's pronouncement at Oldham as to the income tax (A.R., 1913, p. 252) and of the promises of a revision of the system of Imperial grants in aid of local taxation (A.R., 1913, p. 58; 1911, p. 22). In view of the Ministerial attitude to food taxes, insurances had been effected against reduction or abolition of the sugar duty at premiums rising since March from 10 to 30 per cent., and also, at lower rates, against reduction or abolition of the tea, coffee, and cocoa duties, and increase of those on alcoholic liquors. But the Budget proved to be less sensational than was expected.