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and to authorise local authorities to levy a tax of one penny in the pound
on capital values, which the promoters estimate to equal 2s. 1d. in the £
on income derived from site values.
On this we have to say that as all owners of property are already
liable to pay the Imperial income-tax, now amounting to one shilling in
the pound, and if resident in England have to pay all local and other
taxation falling on citizens of Britain, this proposal to subject them in effect
to triple income-tax does not commend itself to us. We think any special
burden they are called upon to bear should be commensurate with the
special benefit they receive, neither more nor less.
The Bill likewise proposes to override existing contracts between
landlord and tenant, a course which even Dr. Macnamara, who represented
the promoters at the Hackney Conference, did not see his way to defend.
The Bill further proposes to authorise very large purchases of land
by County authorities, merely for the purpose of management and reletting,
though it is contended that incidentally these powers would
facilitate the acquisition of open spaces, &c. We regard this part of the
measure with grave apprehension, and we observe that it is promoted by
the Land Nationalisation Society, the object of which Society is explained
to be to eventually acquire for the public the whole surface of the United
Kingdom.
For the reasons hereinbefore appearing we disapprove of the
provisions of the Bill.
104. A Bill on the same subject was introduced this session
and dropped after first reading.
Education
Act.
105. A Conference of the Education Committee and the
Council's representatives on the Bodies of Managers
of Provided Schools on the subject of the powers
and duties of managers, was held at the Council House, Wandsworth,
on the 24th October, when there were present:—
Members of the Education Committee :—
Councillor Gridley (Chairman of the Conference); The Mayor;
Aldermen Dunkley and Rucker; Councillors Aldridge, Allen, Ball,
Bulstrode, Craig, Cresswell, Eland, Glegg, Hennell, Lance, Luscombe,
Mathias, Pannett, Robinson and Somerford.
Representatives on Bodies of Managers :—
New Road, Larkhall Lane, St. Andrew's Street and Wirtemberg
Street, Clapham, Schools.—Rev. E. W. Lewis, Mr. F. Nash and Mrs.
Somerford.
Aristotle Road, Bonneville Road and Haselrigge Road, Clapham
Schools.—Alderman Kipling, Councillor Busfield, Mr. T. E. Comins, Mr.
G. N. Stoker, Mrs. Busfield, Mrs. Glegg and Mrs. Lewis.