PUBLIC MONEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 122, 25 May 1934, Page 10

PUBLIC MONEY.

FOR STATE BUILDING.

PROTEST FROM DUNEDIN

REPLY TO FINANCE MINISTER

(By TclP^rapU.—l'ress Association.) DUNEDIN, Thursday. A reply to the criticism by the Hot-. J. G. Coates of the protest made by the Dunedin Chamb.jr of Commerce jigf.inet the Government spending money •in large buildings was made to day by Mr. W. H. Brent, president of the chamber.

"No doubt the Christehureh newspaper reports made a short reference only to the resolution in regard to some aspects of the Government's building policy •in the past," said Mr. Brent. "Had Mr. Coates seen che full text of the resolution and tile reasons prompting the chamber to deal with the subject, he could not reasonably have mad? the comments reported as having been made by him. There was no demand from the Dunedin public for a Public Trust building, it was distinctly stated by the chamber that no criticism was passed in regard to Government buildings for the accommodation of Departments. The Dunedin post office therefore docs not come into the discussion, for that building' will not surely house any other tenant in addition to Government Departments. In this connection a sub-committee was appointed from the Chamber of. Commerce and other bodies which went fully into the matter, and sent a deputation to Willington urging a modified building, which would effect a saving of £100,000, but the Government had drawn plans, which it refused to modify.

"The chamber,'' proceeded Mr. Brent, "considers it a matter of policy that the Government should not use public moneys for the purpose of housing other than Government Departments. In February, 1932, the view how taken by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was conveyed to the Prime Minister, who said the matter would receive consideration. The State stands behind all Government Departments. Therefore, in my opinion, the surplus profits of profitmaking Departments belong to the people. It may be that the Public Trust and State Fire Insurance Departments decide their own buildiug policies. If so, it is ti'i.*e that such a policy should be stopped. There is no doubt which is more necessary, a £00,000 to £80,000 State Fire Insurance office in any town, or a publichospital, but the more money we freeze unnecessarily in building, the greater difficulty is* there in financing our hospitals