BRITISH COUNCIL SERVICES

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26211, 7 September 1950, Page 7

BRITISH COUNCIL SERVICES

“Demand Far Beyond . Resources” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, September 6. The demand for the British Council’s services in Commonwealth countries far exceeds what its limited resources permit it to supply, says the council’s report for 1949The report mentions the Councilsponsored tours of the Cid Vic in Australia and New Zealand, and art exhibitions among its activities in Commonwealth countries, in addition to the assistance it has given visitors to Britain. * The council in 1948-49 spent £2,853,758 out of a Government vote of £3.161.500. More than half of this —£l,6o3,ooo—was spent in centres overseas. “In comparison with the previous year the expenditures approximately reflect the 10 per cent, reduction imposed in the sums voted for 1948-49, with the notable exception of expenditure on the arts,” sajs the report. Because much work had had to be discontinued under economic pressure the Council’s European budget for 1950- would be about one-third less. “Public do not Undersand” The report is at pains to answer criticisms of extravagance. The Council has, in fact, been a favourite butt for some newspapers—it was not spared headlines when its accounts were tagged for a minor extravagance in the use of stationery. Its report for 1949-50 says that the British public, reading only the few items which reached the headlines or even the remoter columns of the press, do not understand the purpose of the Council. “The public are inclined to suppose, incorrectly, that the Counci.’s main function is as an advertising agency for the superior merits of ‘British culture’ or ‘the British way of life,’ whatever those two xaded phrases may be taken to mean, and not unreasonably the public are in some doubt as to the need or even the propriety of selfdisplay on such a scale,” says the report. “They do not real’se that in fact the Council’s function overseas is primarily the patient work of explanation, comparison, the giving of information and teaching of the English language —that in fact it is a long-term work directed to a more solid appreciation of the ways, aims and achievements of this country in all the lon® political aspects of its life, and not a snort-term dazzle campaign.” The Council’s accounts for 1948-49 showed that the gross expenditure of the Council was £3,271,742, with receots at £417,984. In addition to the £1,603.000 spent in centres overseas, educational services and the provision of materials in Britain accounted for £580,000, and the arts cost £239.000. Headquarters and administrative staff cost £ 180,000.