is the name commonly given to the annual account of the national finances rendered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or it might be by the First Lord of the Treasury, to a committee of ways and means of the House of Commons. The speech or statement by which this account is introduced or explained is looked forward to with great interest by different classes ; if the revenue is in a flourishing condition and a surplus exists, all parties are anxious to learn how their interests may be affected by a reduction of taxes; and the public interest is probably even greater when the revenue is known to be overdrawn and an increase is anticipated. The speech usually includes an outline of the financial policy of the Government, an account of the general commercial condition of the country, and in particular an examina tion of any commercial interests which are proposed to be affected. The national balance-sheet is made up to the 5th April in every year, and upon the results of the balance-sheet in hand will depend the requirements of the treasury for the ensuing year. Whether taxation is to be increased or decreased, criticism is usually equally keen, and the minister in charge of the budget is equally bound not only to state definitely the proposed alterations, but also to defend them in principle and in detail. To reduce one tax is to raise the inquiry why another has not been ?educed in its stead ; to create or increase another is to attract a general criticism from those interested, the standpoints of the critics being almost as varied as the number of the critics themselves—at least as varied as the number of interests they represent. The speech is concluded by the minister moving resolutions for the adoption of the committee which will carry out the proposals of the Government. These resolutions, when afterwards reported to the House, form the ground work of bills for finally accomplishing the financial objects proposed by the minister.
builder is one who builds houses for sale, OR land purchased or leased by him for that purpose, or one who builds for other persons by hire or contract. Whether building for him self or for an employer, a builder needs to pay careful heed to certain branches of the law. If building for hire or other remuneration, it is important that the agreement therefor should cover all things necessary for his protection, and be valid and precise. Three things must be carefully looked for in a building contract: remuneration, the architect, and arbitration ; neither one of these should be omitted, and not one expressed contrary to the builder's wishes. But whether building for himself or another, the builder must have strict regard to the Public Health Acts, the local Building Acts, and the regulations made thereunder. In London, for example, his building operations will be governed primarily by the London Building Acts. These Acts would require a moderately-sized book for their mere reprint. Not only will the London Building Acts necessitate the builder's attention, but there are also the Public Health (London) Acts, and the many important unrepealed and still subsisting sections of the various Metropolis Management Acts, together with the bye-laws and regulations of the London County Council made under all these Acts. In
fact no builder should on any account venture to carry on his business without some trade manual containing details of the provisions of the general and local laws affecting his operations. And in building elsewhere than in London it is equally necessary to obtain copies of all local Acts and regulations ; to know the restrictions imposed by the local authorities as well as those by the general law. And in addition to all this, the builder must have some know ledge of the law relating to his liability for injuries to his workmen under the Employers' Liability and the Workmen's Compensation Acts ; to the Truck Acts and the payment of wages ; to notices of accidents ; and to leases, land lord and tenant, fixtures, rights to light and air, and to documents of title to land such as conveyances and mortgages. Knowing all this, there would be very little else for him to learn other than that which should be known by every other man of business.
The first thing for a builder to consider is the contract, or the document which sets out the terms of his employment. This need not always be in writing ; nor need it, if in writing, be necessarily technical and complicated —it is sufficient if it clearly expresses the agreement between the parties. Unless the period of the building operations N% ill extend over a year, either by the necessity of the work itself or by the mere intention of the parties, the contract need not be in writing. In all other cases a written contract is essential ; one, too, that is signed by the person intended to be made liable thereunder, which is made before action is brought upon it, that describes and identifies the contracting parties, and that sets out clearly the terms of the agreement. Care must be taken that the contract satisfies these conditions. A corporation or company should execute the contract with its seal.
A fruitful source of dispute and dissatisfaction is the question of payment for materials supplied, and work done " extra " to the contract. A builder should only put in extras when he has received a written authority from his employer or architect to do so. In the absence of such an authority, not only may he be unable to successfully claim payment therefor, but he may possibly be sued by the employer for putting the extras in, notwithstanding the fact that the employer may retain and take the benefit of them. It is never safe, except in very clear cases, for the builder to do extra work upon the faith of the contract being read as impliedly authorising them. Thus, where a builder contracted to build and complete a house according to a specification, and the specification, though mentioning the scantling of joists for the floors, rafters, and ridge and wall plates, made no mention of the flooring, it was held that the builder could not charge the flooring as au extra. The contract and specifications must be read together, and only those things which are a reasonable and necessary inference therefrom can be charged for as extras. Should the contract require a written authority from the architect for extras, a verbal authority therefor from the employer himself will not be sufficient.