Final Remarks

Abstract

The work of the rapporteur at a congress is sometimes hard. What often happens is that delegates begin by congratulating him on his report, then they read it and find that he has written an awful lot of nonsense which they proceed, quite justifiably, to criticize. On this occasion you have been exceptionally kind to me; in fact, I think you have been much too kind and not sufficiently critical. There have, of course, been a few differences of opinion; it would have been surprising if there had not been. For instance, there was a certain minor difference of opinion with the German and Danish delegates over the principle of charging consumers for water — a difference of opinion which I think was very easily resolved. The major criticisms came from my English colleagues. This, I think, is quite natural because my English colleagues have inside knowledge of and experience in local government and they know that I have neither; I am just an academic.