Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/111

I was first installed in the chair of Premier, about sixteen years ago, the revenue stood at 76,400,000 yen. The appropriations demanded by the different departments of State had risen to 94,500,000 yen. The Treasury could not, even if it would, satisfy those demands. I myself undertook the task of arranging the Budget, and set myself to strike out all those items that I judged uncalled for, and to amend others that were intended to provide for new works. All those preliminary tasks having been completed, I convoked a Cabinet Council, and it sat till midnight. The result was that the Budget for the year was fixed at 76,400,000 yen, together with a surplus account of 1,000,000 yen. The revenue of that time was 76,400,000 yen, but to-day it stands at 240,000,000 yen. Such an expansion can by no means be considered light. In the matter of national wealth I must admit an enormous increase. I must admit that all the important affairs of State calculated to strengthen the bases of the national existence, such as matters of national defence, communications (both marine and overland), and such-like provisions, have been made to a considerable extent. However, in estimating the wealth of a country, we must consider this question from various standpoints, for according to the mode of computation a considerable difference will arise as to the amount of wealth. However, I will not dwell on this point any further, this being a matter of science and theory. At any rate, I can safely say that the wealth of Japan has markedly increased.

Now, in looking over the economic field of to-day, I do not think either manufacture or trade or agriculture is placed in a prosperous position. The explanation is that all the enterprises in those respective spheres have been launched with no adequate funds to back them. The result is that some of these enterprises have collapsed after having run for a few years. Lack of competent technical knowledge has also brought about the failure, and these two causes—lack of funds and lack of experience—must be regarded as having brought about the present economic failures. There is another point to be taken into consideration in reviewing the present economic inactivity, and that is lack of sincerity and sense of responsibility by all those who have charge of the work. For managers and experts, and even companies themselves, have often acted unfaithfully, and have tried to evade the obligation of paying debts contracted in various quarters. In fact, those managers and experts have not been worthy to take charge of such responsible businesses. All these points must be carefully attended to by all the members of the Diet, on whom rests the grave responsibility of arranging on a sound basis the finance of the State.