RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIGH RATES.
[TO TRH EDITOR OP THE " SPROrATOR.1
SIR,—Will you allow sue a few words of comment on" Outis's " letter in your issue of April 22nd on the above subject ? His story is that a public inquiry was, after due notice, held at Stafford in respect of a county loan ; and that, after the Inspector who held the inquiry had reported on it, the Local Government Board sanctioned the loan. " Outis " was unable to attend the inquiry ; and, not approving of the loan, polled his parish, and, with its approval, made a protest to the Local Government Board. And because the Board, all due formalities having been observed, adhered to its decision, " Outis " makes two serious accusations : (1) against the County Council of "wanton extravagance," though we are left in ignorance of the object of the loan ; and (2) that "the Local Government Board neither expect to hear complaints, nor will attend to them if made. The Local Government Board are almost entirely responsible for the ratepayers' burden." I have some knowledge of the Local Government Board's methods—as I was its servant for some years—and of those also of the County and other Councils. And though none may be perfect. I am certain that the wicked Board gave the most • that he had never in his life met eleven more obstinate men than his colleagues. " Outis " goes a step further, for he not only complains of obstinacy, but desires the minority to prevail. Few people, I think, will agree with him. May I ask " Outie" to ponder one of the many wise sayings of the late Bishop Mandell Creighton ?—" The hope of the future depends on the maintenance and development of capacity and zeal in the service of local government." But if, as " Outis " wishes, a single parish could upset the considered decision of the whole county, speaking through its duly elected Council, it is obvious that local government would be at an end.—
I am, Sir, &c., C. H. L.
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