144 LOCAL TAXATION 



The next raid upon the pockets of the ratepayers was by 

 the Board of Education. In March that Department issued 

 a memorandum, known as Circular 709, stating that the Code 

 of 1909 would require a change in the staffing of elementary 

 schools. This, it was estimated, would add to the education 

 rate amounts varying from 500 per annum in West Sussex 

 to 5000 in Lindsey (Lines). The President of the Board of 

 Education (Mr. W. Runciman) replied so evasively to ques- 

 tions asked in the House, and with such an apparent unconcern 

 as to the cost, that all local Chambers were made acquainted 

 with the matter. It was pointed out to them that 



" There is no intention of suggesting that any necessary 

 educational reforms should be hindered, provided that the 

 Treasury is prepared to pay for them, but there is objection to 

 any further addition being made to the education rate." 



The question was before the Council on 4th May, when a 

 strong resolution of protest was agreed to unanimously, and 

 the Parliamentary Committee were instructed to oppose 

 the Code. Discussions in many parts of the country showed 

 that the chief objection (apart from the increased cost) was 

 that a Government Department in Whitehall should have 

 power, and should exert that power, to dictate to local author- 

 ities, who have no alternative but to pay the cost involved 

 by such interference. Thi ; feeling was only natural, for 

 whenever the Government is asked to relieve the burden of 

 the education rate, its reply is : " You have local control, 

 and the Government cannot pay for local administra- 

 tion." 



The Code was laid on the Table on 25th June, where it had 

 to remain for thirty days before becoming operative. As 

 usual, no opportunity was given for its discussion, but after 

 much negotiation the Government promised that the vote for 

 the Board of Education should be taken on 15th July, so as 

 to give a chance of debating the proposals of Circular 709. 

 That was the theory, but in fact the very short time allowed 

 for this vote was wholly taken up by the discussion of other 

 topics, and so no opportunity was ever given for raising the 

 question. 



