GRANT FOR HALL AT ROTOWARO

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24567, 16 May 1945, Page 5

GRANT FOR HALL AT ROTOWARO

♦—— . MINISTER’S EXPLANATION (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 15. “No attempt whatever was made by Mr C. M. Bowden, who is the member for Wellington West, to obtain the true facts of the financial arrangements for the erection of a public hall at the Rotowaro mining township,” said the Hon. J. O’Brien, Acting-Minister of Mines, in a statement to-night. Mr O’Brien said the matter had been presented in a manner misleading to the electors of Waikato and the public generally. “In every progressive country in this world, and even here in New Zealand, there has been a clamour for an improvement in the amenities in 'mining towns.” Mr O’Brien added. "Efforts made by the present Government in this direction have been applauded by both sides of Parliament. In this country, in the ordinary way, the State assists in the provision of amenities by free grants, which are supplemented by money raised by residents and funds granted by colliery owners. “In the case of the Rotowaro Hall, the colliery owners, Taupiri Coal Moines, Ltd., gave the land free to the Citizens’ League, and substantially helped the league in other ways. The league provided finance for seating accommodation and interior fittings, including talking picture equipment. Instead of making a free grant, as in other cases, the Government decided to make a loan to the league of the amount involved in the" erection of the hall. Its form of assistance was by way of loan without interest. “Those circumstances are not comparable with the ones referred to by Mr Bowden,” Mr O’Brien added. He has made a great fuss about nothing, and if the National Party is sincere in its declaration of improving the conditions of life of miners, it will support and not condemn the transaction. It simply means this—that a no-inter-est loan was granted instead of a direc.. State contribution, and the final result will be practically the same.’