They simply wish me to look into the question of the pay of individuals and of classes of individuals, as they put it, with a view of benefitting the public service.... In very few instances since I have been Financial Secretary to the Treasury have I been asked by anyone to advance a friend, or to do anything in the shape of a favor. The representations are of this sort: 'Here are a class of public officers who are underpaid. We wish you to look into the matter, and to consider whether or not it would be advantageous to the public service that their salary should be increased.' I look into it, and I say that I am not at all of that opinion, upon which my friend tells me that he will bring the matter before the House, and show us up." "And the other evil is one which is rapidly diminishing, and, in fact, is very small now, namely, interference in favor of individuals?" "Very small indeed." To a question from Mr. Rathbone, Mr. Baxter replied: "I do not think that the representations in question have much effect; I only stated that the most unpleasant part of my duties was resisting the pressure brought to bear in that way." Thereupon Mr. Rathbone continued: "They may not have an effect when the Government has a majority of one hundred or so, or when there is no election impending, but do you think they have no effect when, as we have seen in former years for long periods, the Government is carried on, whether by one side or the other, by a very small majority, or when an election is impending?" Mr. Baxter replied: "I have no doubt that they have had the effect in former times in those circumstances." "Do you think they would be liable to have that effect again if either party should be reduced to that condition?" "It may be so." "Can you suggest any mode of abating the Parliamentary pressure to which you have alluded, whether it be exercised by public motions or by private influence?" The Financial Secretary to the Treasury replied: "No; it is an evil very difficult to remedy. I think the better plan would be to inform the constituencies on the subject and let them know the practice which so widely prevails, in order that, if inclined to take the side of economy, they may look after their Members of Parliament." A moment later, Mr. Sclater-Booth asked: "Do you not think from what you have seen of the public service, that the Treasury, existing particularly for that purpose, is the body which must be permanently relied upon to keep down expenditure?" "Decidedly so." "Even the constituencies can scarcely, as a rule, be appealed to in that sense, can they?" "No; I attach very much more importance to the power of the Treasury than either to the action of the House of Commons, or, I am sorry to say, to the voice of the constituencies."[434] FOOTNOTES: [419] The subjoined statements, excepting the quotation from Mr. Austen Chamberlain, are taken from A. Todd: _On Parliamentary Government in England_.