METHODS AND PROBLEMS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT 319

the events of 1931 and 1932. The Central Government was
resolved to cut down public expenditure, both national and
local. Opinions on the merits of this resolve niight differ, but it
was the basis of Government policy, and the Government had a
Parliamentary majority. If the local authorities could nullify the
will of Parliament on a matter of this nature, the whole machinery
of Government would stop. But when the actual economies
required of local authorities, particularly in the public assistance,
and education services, were proposed, there was considerable
opposition, often cutting across party divisions. Some of the
proposals were modified, and, when the dust of battle had
subsided, it was clear that though the Government had achieved
its object, the policy had been improved by opposition. To put
the matter simply, Westminster and Whitehall must have the
last word on finance; but it will be a wiser word if they have first
listened to the opinions of Durham and South Wales on the needs
of the unemployed. The same process could be discerned in the
discussion on derating and Air Raid Precautions. A measure of
independence in local Government is therefore of great value to
democracy. It provides a legal channel for opposition, it improves
the Government by criticism, it is an antidote to bureaucracy.
By its encouragement of civic pride it evokes unpaid service, and
so reduces the cost of Government. The experience of local
authorities who have made exceptional extensions of activity is a
guide for future policy. Above all, it increases the number of
people who have experience of administration, and are thus
trained to criticise intelligently, and to value liberty. Dictators
are well aware of these facts, and invariably curtail or destroy
local autonomy.

REGIONALISM.

On this ground the aim of British policy should be to increase
the powers of local authorities as far as possible. But public
opinion is demanding a higher mjninnim standard of social
service such as the poorer authorities find it 'difficult to reach.