316 THE BRITISH APPROACH TO POLITICS

adoption of uniform methods of assessment by a number of
Councils, can be arranged on business principles. Similarly, the
recent problem, of Air Raid Precautions caused party disputes,
but there were also points over which the Central Government
and the local authorities were at variance; at the discussions on
these the local authorities were represented by Councillors from
all parties. It is not uncommon for the parties on Councils to be
very nearly equal in numbers, and when this happens, co-operation
is inevitable. These modifications of the party system strengthen
the case for Proportional Representation in local elections; the
same advantages can be claimed for it as in national affairs, while
several of the disadvantages do not apply.1

RELATIONS WITH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

Despite the importance of local Government and the efforts of
the parties, it is not usual for more than one-third of the rate-
payers to vote; and while the proportion occasionally rises to one
, half, it can also be as low as one-tenth. Councils which do no
more than the law compels, and do it without enthusiasm or
imagination, help to perpetuate this apathy; but the chief
responsibility lies on the elector, without whose consent, the
sluggish Council cann&t exist. The activity of Councils, and the
scope of social services have increased gradually as need and
opportunity arose, so that a great and beneficent work has been
accomplished without the majority of the electors being aware
of what was happening. Anyone who surveys the whole work of
local authorities to-day, and tries to imagine it either tindone,
or performed wholly by paid appointees of the Central" Govern-
ment, will need no further argument to induce hfoi to vote.
But while the spread of knowledge could do much, there is one
reason, not so easily removed, for the electors* lack of interest.
A bad local authority can cause inconvenience and danger, but
in the last resort the State will always step in to avert disaster;
at a Parliamentary election the consequences of a wrong choice
1 Sec Chapter XII.