LONDON ONE BOROUGH.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 407, 16 January 1909, Page 12

LONDON ONE BOROUGH.

Mr. Asquith's reply to tho deputation of London Liberals, in which lie . practically approved . tlio -suggestion of a single 'rate for London and its transformation into a single electoral borough, lias aroused widespread interest, Writes the "Daily Mail."; The scheme is understood to entail the conversion of the London County Council, with an increased membership of seventy, into a central body, having power to roviso the budgets'of the London bbroughs. . A prominent 1 member of tho .Municipal Reform Party of the County 1 Council said:— "If the 'scheme outlined contains, its main features it will be vigorously opposed in the City, and as vigorously fought: by tho' boroughs. Tho objections of many of my col- ' leagues may bo summed up; generally thus "We .don't want London governed on bureaucratic lines. "Onilication will reduco 'tho' status of tho boroughs, and will create laxity in administration, a lessening: of interest in local affairs, and less rigid economy." Captain Hemphill, L.C.C., considers that the proposed lieW' central body would deal parochialism a heavy blow, whilo uniformity of thought and administration would resntt. In the opinion of the Mayor of Fulham, "Tho scheme will reduce the status of the present borough councils to district committees, analogous to school managers. Tho London County Council have moro to do how than tlioy can manage properly. . Moro power should bo given to tho borough councils." '.' Thft Mayor of St. Pahcras thinks that tho proposal is retrograde, "and would iiiovitnbly lead to li greater burden being placed upon tho' ratepayers, for the reason ,that:,ii6 en•cburngeiiieht would remain to ctaitiriuc! th 4 stand that has boon niado by'the present 'councils ;'agaihst any further inifcaso of local 'rates:"'" ' '• ' "The 1 scheme nieans the deatli ' of the borough ;c'ouncils; a total loss .'of loonl interest,, unci must' inevitably increase tho rates,"' said tho Mayor of Lambeth, " ! ;