210 PROTECTION TAXES ON FREE TRADE PRICES 



falls three-fourths of the charge, yet the interests of 

 farmers are not limited to the remaining fom'th. They 

 are strong enough to secure reduced rents as a consequence 

 of remission. Again, the existing incidence of local taxa- 

 tion would necessarily prevent the growth of small owners, 

 the spoilt children of those who use this argument against 

 any reduction in the burden of rates. It is a novel mode 

 of encouraging peasant proprietors to tax them more 

 heavily than any other class in the community. Unless 

 the soil is partially relieved from rates, the dreams of 

 extreme land-reformers are impossible of realisation. 



