Transfer of Funds

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21450, 16 April 1935, Page 12

Transfer of Funds

As was perhaps to be expected the Mayor, Mr Sullivan, in replying to a leading article in " The Press" yesterday commenting adversely on the policy of the Christchurch City Council in transferring funds from the Municipal Electricity Department and the Halswell quarries to the general account, has used the occasion for electioneering propaganda purposes. Mr Sullivan, it will be noticed, devotes very little space to a justification of the indefensible. He makes no attempt to explain the Halswell quarrie.; transaction, and though he has a great deal to say about the Municipal Electricity Department he does not touch on the point of principle involved, on which we had occasion to comment. There is much about the number of ranges sold to the public, much about stimulating demand for electricity, even a reference' to reduced electricity charges to the people; which is all very laudable. But the main point is carefully avoided. We did not suggest that the practice of raiding special funds for the benefit of the general account was confined to the Labour party; but we did and do suggest that it is a highly reprehensible proceeding for any party and that it cannot be justified by the thin excuse that it is " to lighten the load " of the people."