Local Taxation.
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in the course of the debate on the Address in reply to the King's speech, in the House of Commons on the 19th inst., some interesting statements were made by Ministers in respect of the increase of local expenditure. 141r. Herbert Samuel, President of the Local Government Hoard, for example, gave the following comparative figures, in respect of local expenditure, for 20 years ago compared with the present date: main roads, increase from £1,500,000 . to 13,200,000 ; 4,100,000 to 16,700,000 ; (:;o r relief, from. £8,600,000 to ti,100,0ii0; education, 1'5,100,000
to £28,600,000. The total increase, therefore, is no less than £33,100,000, but of this sum only £1,800,0'00 is in respect of roads. We have often enforced the point, that local authorities are short of money to spend on roads because they have spent it on other matters, and now tte figures are officially given -).7 a Minister of the Crown.
Mr. Lloyd George indicated that the Government had decided to take steps this year for the relief of local taxation, but he evidently re
more especially to the demands or housing and education, rather than to any demands
attributable to motor traffic. He none the lass stated that po‘intscon. nected with the use of motorbuses and motorvans would ,have to be faced, although he added that he did not know whether the contribution to be paid by these vehicles should be a substantial one. He remarked that the telephone and petrol between them. had completely transformed business within about so miles of great towns. The speeches on this occasion are fully reported in the London papers of the 20th inst., and we commend a perusal of them to parties who are sufficiently interested.