§ MR. PELLsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, 319 in ease the funds as at present raised by local taxation are further burdened by the Legislature with charges for Elementary Education, Her Majesty's Government intend to take any and what steps to ascertain, and, if necessary, to remedy any inequality that may now exist, or may from the proposed school rate arise, in the distribution of taxation on real and personal property respectively?
MR. GLADSTONESir, if I may criticize the Question of the hon. Gentleman, I venture to say that I think the obligation on the part of the Government to bring under consideration the entire question of the state of local taxation, its incidence, and its relation to other descriptions of taxation, is one which they have undertaken to discharge, whether there be or be not any further charge imposed with regard to elementary education. We must perform that important and onerous duty in the best way we can, and I fully admit the obligation, even independently of any further charge.