NO FINANCIAL HELP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVIII, Issue 10984, 2 August 1927, Page 4

NO FINANCIAL HELP.

RAILWAY ADVISORY BOARDS. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. According to a statement made by the Prime Minister, Railway Advisory Boards cannot receive financial assistance from the Government for the' carrying on of their work. The Prime Minister's statement was. communicated last night to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, as convener of the Canterbury District Railway Advisory Board. The Prime Minister's letter, stating, inter alia:—* "The question of granting financial, assistance toward the cost of the clerical and other expenses incurred by <the various Advisory Boards has been given, careful consideration. In other countries, where Advisory Boards are constituted in circumstances similar to

those in the Dominion, the work incidental to considering and representing transport and other matters in the interests of the commercial community is purely voluntary, and whileI appreciate the points raised hy you, I regret financial assistance cannot begiven." " The president (Mr C. P. Agar) said that the Chamber had been asked to act as convener of the Railway Advisory Board in Canterbury. So farthere had been no matters for the hoard to discuss, and the question was whether the board should be called' together to consider the financial oosition or hold off until some railway business occasioned a meeting. The working expenses of the board would cost about £3OO annually. The Advisory Board would be able to teachthe railway authorities how to run tho railways. " The present service was fairly satisfactorv. It was decided to hold the matter over for the l ioard to deal with when other business warranted the board being convened.