98 RATES AND TAXES 



With regard to local extravagance with 

 the proceeds of rates, the suggestion of Sir 

 Robert Giffen seems reasonable, namely, 

 that the control of expenditure should 

 be, to some extent, in proportion to the 

 amount contributed. The ratepayers should, 

 on this view, be treated as if they were, 

 so to speak, shareholders in a local 

 company, and the voting powers should 

 be proportioned to the shares held or the 

 contributions made. This, however, is a 

 point that arises rather in connection with 

 the reform of the present system than as a 

 question of relief to the ratepayer from the 

 central funds. 



Before leaving this question of com- 

 parative economy, it may be worth while to 

 recall the truth that was emphasised by the 

 old economists, in season and out of season, 

 to such an extent that their children became 

 so tired of hearing it that they shut their 



