The Manxman is to be envied. He lives in charming and healthy surroundings; he is prosperous; and, as the Budget which was introduced in the House of Keys yesterday shows, his Chancellor of the Exchequer treats him with the utmost consideration.
Last year the proceeds of the Customs duties were greatly in excess of the estimate, and the income tax gave a much higher yield than anybody had expected. The result is that the Government has a surplus of £280,000 - more than four times the amount of the national debt - at its disposal. It intends to introduce a system of old age pensions and to confer upon the islanders the doubtful benefits of a national insurance scheme.
These measures, however, will absorb less than a fifth of the surplus, and, in order that the whole community may benefit, the Government proposes to abolish the duties on tea, coffee, and cocoa. If this proposal is carried, the Manxman will enjoy a free breakfast table, for the sugar duty was abolished last year.
The Island's extraordinary prosperity is due to the remarkable spending capacity of last summer's visitors.
The Irish Times, June 29th, 1920.