GOVERNMENT GRANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 33, 9 February 1939, Page 24

GOVERNMENT GRANTS.

MONEY FOR SPORTS BODIES. MINISTER EXPLAINS WHY WITHHELD. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Dissatisfaction expressed l, v some itports bodies on the failure of their applications for grants under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act. notably for the payment of customs duty <,n sports equipment imported from overseas, was stated by the Minister of Internal Affaire, the Hon. W. Parry, to-day as having arisen through misapprehension and lack of appreciation of the position. "Until a survey has been completed." the Minister stated, '"of existing facilities for the further development of sport and recreation in the Dominion it is not practicable to consider applications from sports bodies for grants to meet what bodies say are their immediate requirement«. This reply must go at .present to all bodies seeking to obtain monetary help. Applications that come in give information of district requirements useful for records which will bo handled when the survey and recommendations are under consideration."' The Minister pointed out that requests had been received for tin- remission of customs duties on jjoods which could be made in New Zealand. He felt that ctltbs would appreciate the desirability of obtaining equipment in their own land. He added that in recent months great advancement had been made in the formation of committees to work in with the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation in a j)ominion-\vide survey to be undertaken of sports facilities and requirements.