Budget speech delivered by Hon. George E. foster, Minister of Finance, in the House of Commons, Tuesday, 5th March, 1889.

Mr. FOSTER.Mr. Speaker, in rising to make my first financial statement beforo this House, it would not be otherwise than natural that I should experience feelings of trepidation, and even of timidity.When I look at the line of men, distinguished Canadians, who, since Confederation, have had entrusted to them the keeping of tbe purse-strings of this country, men in every case of acknowledged ability and of an experience far greater than my own ; when I have regard, as well, to the responsible nature of the duties which have been devolved upon me, and the fact that every action of the present leaves its impress upon the iuturo, I would be the reverse of serious op thoughtful if I did not threw myself to-day upon the kinJness of the House, and ask those who are older and more experienced than myself for their generous indulgence, and ask also for the equally generous sympathy of those who are, in point of years, more nearly my contemporaries and co-laborers in the work of this House.The wis© and vigorous policy of the preceding years, a kindly providence which, during the past year, has not forgotten this, one of her most favored countries, and a growing spirit of corifider.ee in commercial operations, have contributed to a fullness oi the Treasury, and to a peace and prosperity, geneial throughout the country, which serve to make easier the otheiwise formidable task which has fallen to my lot Canada tc-day, standing in this her majority year, and looking back upon the record of her past, has every reason, I thick, to survey that record with pride, and turning towards the future, although it may have its difficulties which are to be surmounted, I believe that from this same vantage giound she has every right to step foiwar<3 into that future, with full asturance that in it she will find peace, plenty, prosperity r-S 6 t~L i and continued greatness.Standing upon this point of vantage ground, this country asks no concealment of the real facts of her record, she asks no flattery, and while she does not wish to have concealed from her the difficulties incident to progress in all climes and in all ages, I think she is willing to stand by the record of facts, and whatever merits or demerits my statement may have, I trust, that so far as it goes, it will have the merit of candour, frankness and plainness of statement.With these few preliminary remarks, I beg the indulgence of the House while I proceed to the -Bcoks, Periodicals, &c , and all other printed matter % 4,864 89 Arrowroot, Biscuit, Rice, Macaroni, Bran, &c 48,836 53 Flour and Meal, of all kinds 54,120 76 Carriages 40,415 67 Coal and Coke (lutiable) , 420,546 89 Collars, Cuffs, and Shirt Fronts19,796 39 Cotton, manufactures cf • 197,860 52 Fancy Goods 73,277 73 Flax, Hemp, Jute, and manufactures of., 33,817 49 Fruit3, green -37,910 92 Glass, and manufactures of •. 9,503 36 Gold, Silver, and manufactures of.'. 16,220 33 Guttapercha, India Rubber, and manufactures of 8,419 18 Jewellery 13,152 22 Leather, aEd manufactures of 25,374 84 Oilcloth , 9,947 10 Silk, and manufactures of.. 32,612 20 Tic, do do 12,875 92 Tobacco, do do ~71,717 79 Wool, do do 1» be made to the House and the country.It is a condition of things which has not arisen from any increased rate of taxation, but under the very same tariff as the preceding year's receipts were based upon.Consequently, it shows an increased.ability to consume, and therefore an increase in the prosperity of the country.The -capital expenditure for 1888-89 is estimated as follows : -

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