LONDON RATES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 9

LONDON RATES.

STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, March 21. In the House of Commons Mr Crookes's motion, that the inequality of rates in tlio different portions of London required the early attention of Parliament, was agreed to. Dr Macnamara (Secretary of the Local Government Board) said the matter must be considered in connection with the whole question of local government. Considerable inequality exists in this rates imposed locally in various parts of London. Tlio result often is that those parts of London which are least able to boar it are most heavily rated and rich localities are oftou lightly rated. Tho ever-increasing demand for a higher standard oE municipal life and social conditions lias increased the burden ot the rates. A demand is therefore now made for a complete pooling of tho cost of London administration, and an equal rate imposed through London. Tho Prime Minister says that 'Mho injustice of the present arrangement, in virtue, of which the wealthier areas are enabled to escape a large portion of their obligation to tho community, mast bo manifest." Mr \Y, H. Dickinson, M.I 1 ., declares that " the only scheme that is possible now is complete equalisation. The expenditure of the . borough councils must be regulated by a central authority."