DISRAELI ON LOCAL RATES 75 



such of its exclusive burdens as the cost of criminal prosecu- 

 tions, of pauper lunatics, and of certain poor law officers' 

 salaries. 



In 1849 Mr. Disraeli initiated a debate, and, after contending 

 that the Poor Rate, the Highway Rate, and the County Rate 

 were all applied to what were really national purposes, proposed 

 that a sum of six million pounds (equal to half the rates and 

 half the Land Tax) should be borne by ,the Consolidated 

 Fund. In 1850 the same hon. Member moved for the appoint- 

 ment of a Committee to consider a revision of the law relating 

 to the relief of the poor and the removal from the rates of a 

 charge of some two millions. Mr. Gladstone pronounced this 

 proposal both honest and reasonable, adding that " He would 

 vote for it on the ground of its justice ; it was impossible 

 to look at the nature of the tax for the support of the poor 

 without being struck by the inequality of its incidence. 

 . The relief of the poor was a purpose for which, as 

 far as could be done, all property, and not one description of 

 property only, should be liable." In the same session a Com- 

 mittee of the House of Lords declared " that the relief of the 

 poor is a national object, towards which every description of 

 property ought justly to be called upon to contribute, and 

 that the Act of 43rd Elizabeth, c. 2, contemplated such con- 

 tribution according to the ability of every inhabitant." 



In 1856 an Act was passed compelling counties and boroughs 

 to provide an adequate police force, towards which Parliament 

 was to contribute one-fourth of the cost of pay and clothing 

 of each force certified to be efficient. In 1859 Government 

 agreed to make an annual contribution in lieu of rates in 

 respect of lands and buildings owned or occupied by any of 

 its departments. In 1864 provision was made for the gradual 

 extinction of turnpike tolls and the maintenance of roads was 

 thrown upon the rates, with a very small contribution from 

 the Exchequer. In 1867 Mr. Goschen called attention to the 

 continuous increase of burdens on rateable property, and 

 suggested, as a means of obliging other property to contribute, 

 the imposition of an additional penny of Income Tax, to be 

 collected, and retained by the Government, who should hand 



