GRANT DROPPED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 263, 19 August 1949, Page 2

GRANT DROPPED

Canterbury Progress League COUNTY COUNCIL’S DECISION Taking the view that there were too many public bodies already, the Ashburton County Council today decided to cease making an annual contribution to the funds of the Canterbury Progress League.

Cr. J. Carr contended that if many more public bodies were created, the position might be reached that county councils were no longer required. He did not know exactly what could be done, but it seemed to him that a start might be made by eliminating the Progress League, the need for which was not nearly so urgent today. Ashburton contributed more than its fair share to the league funds, and if its contribution was cut out, other bodies would follow the lead. Cr. J. Davidson, agreeing that the league was no longer required, moved that the grant be cut out. “We are getting too much dead wood about us,” stated Mr. ,T. T. Morgan, in seconding the motion. Cr. H. C. B. Withell considered that it would be a pity to cut out the grant, entirely, for the leagus had certainly done a great deal for Canterbury in the past. Unfortunately the work had received very little publicity. “There is far too much multiplicity of public bodies, and the burden on young farmers is staggering,” stated Cr. S. P. Taylor.

The motion was then put to the meeting and carried, Cr. Withdll recording his vote against.