LOCAL TAXES 95 



As a general principle of equity, national 

 charges should be met from national funds, 

 just as local benefits should be met from 

 local funds. That is the equity of the case. 

 But as stated in the first chapter, equity 

 is not enough. Inter alia, we must con- 

 sider economy. The objection, that I am 

 now dealing with, to the extension of 

 Parliamentary aid to local authorities, 

 is one based on economy. It is implied 

 that the money will be wasted. To 

 this, one answer is that already noticed, 

 namely, that this depends on the efficiency 

 of the central control. But there is another 

 answer. The ratepayers are also taxpayers. 

 A farmer who pays income tax and various 

 other taxes feels the burden just as much 

 as the rates. If his rates can only be 

 lessened by an increase in his taxes he 

 will not be benefited. As a payer of 

 taxes, he is as much interested in national 



