Mr. Fawcett on Monday moved a vote of censure on
the Govern- ment in the shape of an amendment to Sir S. Northcote's Public Works Loan Act Amendment Bill, declaring that the Government had not redeemed its pledges about local taxation. He was defeated by a vote of 249 to 175, a majority on a strict party division of 74. We have defended Mr. Fawcett's action elsewhere, and cannot attempt here to analyse a remarkable speech, which bristled with facts, figures, and sarcasms, and evi- dently worried the County Members, who entirely agreed with it, but were afraid of the Greek who brought gifts. He could not, somehow, really mean well by them. Neither did he, though ho meant well by the farmers, but we want to ask him two questions. Why does lie so wholly ignore the fact that very old rates, like poor-rates, have become rent-charges—property fetching less because of that permanent liability—and what does he pro- pose to do about taxation and representation ? If the owner is to pay all rates, should the householder have all power ? No doubt the occupier ultimately pays much of them back, but he does not pay the whole. Sonic of it sticks to the man on whom the liability legally falls. If not, why are occupiers so eager to be rid of rating ?
