Ways And Means

In legislative assemblies, there is usually appointed a committee whose duties are to inquire into and propose to the house the ways and means to be adopted to raise funds for the use of the government. This body is called the committee of ways and means.

The committee of or on ways and means, in a legislative assembly, is charged with the duty of inquiring into and recommending the ways and means for raising funds for the uses of government. The " committee of supply " considers what specific grants of money shall be voted as supplies demanded by the crown for the service of the current year, as explained by the estimates and accounts prepared by the executive government, and referred by the house to the committee. The " committee of ways and means " determines in what manner the necessary funds shall be raised to meet the grants which are voted by the committee of supply, and which are required for the public service. The former committee controls the public expenditure; the latter provides the public income: the one authorizes the payment of money, the other sanctions the imposition of taxes, and the applicatioji of revenues not otherwise applicable to the service of the year."