ROYAL TOUR FUNCTIONS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26971, 21 February 1953, Page 6

ROYAL TOUR FUNCTIONS

State Help For Local Bodies SUBSIDY OF £ FOR £ (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, February 20. The Government will pay a £-for-£ subsidy to local authorities to help to cover the costs incurred in providing receptions to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they tour New Zealand early in 1954. This was announced today by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. A. Bodkin). The Minister said that a similar policy was to have been followed for the previous Royal tour, which was cancelled because of the death of the King. Letters would be sent to each local body with details of the expenditure to be approved, and indicating the maximum subsidy payable. “The whole of the Royal tour will be under the direct supervision and control of the Government, although local reception committees will carry out any functions that are entrusted to them by the Government,” said Mr Bodkin. “All towns which are being visited by the Queen and her party will be encouraged to brighten their streets and buildings for the occasion. “It can, .of course, be safely said that this will be' the spontaneous desire of the towns concerned. The Government will fall into line with whatever arrangements are being made in .?® e , centres. Government buildings will be decorated to harmonise with whatever is being done locally,” concluded the Minister.