Public Relations Office In Auckland Shows Loss

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29002, 17 September 1959, Page 18

Public Relations Office In Auckland Shows Loss

•‘The Press’ - Special Service

AUCKLAND, Sept. 16. i The Auckland Provincial Public Relations Office showed a total loss of £12,086 during the year ] ended June 30, compared with a profit of £4741 in the previous 'year. The accounts for the last year presented to the annual meeting of the office showed a loss of £8428 in the general account and a loss of £3658 in the Western Springs account. The office lost £8572 in promoting a tour of Australia by a Maori concert party and £4955 on I the last Birthday Carnival. The only successful major projects were the Harbour Bridge festival celebrations, on which there was a profit of £976, and the Idaho State College Players, on which the office made a profit of £166. i During the previous financial 'year the office made a total profit of £4741—£1552 from Western Springs and the 1958 Birthday Carnival and £3189 on its general account. i It was a matter of great concern, the president. Sir John Allum, told the meeting, that the office was forced to resort to “unsafe money raising promotions” from time to time in order to make up the difference between basic income and total costs. Extension Difficult “Given the freedom we need from the financial instability that has always plagued the office ever since its inception or, in other words, given the wholehearted support of the city’s business community and local body interests,” said Sir John Allum. "we could and would be able to do much more of lasting value to Auckland. “When we must devote so much time to making a living for the office, nearly always by rather unstable ventures, any extension of our public relations work can be done only under the greatest

'difficulties.” Sir John Allum said he was confident the office would soon be out of debt The current appeal jfor subscriptions had already outstripped the figures for each :of the last 10 years. “Auckland, now fast approaching half a million of population, cannot afford to dispense with the benefits that will accrue from a sound and continuing public relations programme.” said Sir John Allum. “Undoubtedly, there are very many people in Auckland who already recognise the worth of the Public Relations Office’s service to the city.” Carnival Competition Mr W. A. Thompson, president of the Karangahape Road Business Association, said the office had failed to tell its own story I effectively. “I know of several business associates who will not support jthe office.” he said, “because they do not know the right story. They ■ think that money contributed in Auckland is being spent outside the city.” . Another reason for lack of supiport by the business community was competition from the Birthday Carnival. “There is only a certain amount of spending money circulating in Auckland and if some of it gets channelled to the carnival, retail incomes drop,” Mr Thompson said. “This leads to resentment among Auckland retailers.” Mr B. W. Barnett, a former Auckland public relations officer, suggested to the meeting that the 1 office should be divided into two sections—one to handle visitors’ : inquiries and the other to adj minister the development of Western Springs. | He said the financial state of the office would improve if separate staffs could devote their energies to the two projects. Appeal Declined The Auckland City Council finance committee has declined 'appeals from the Auckland Provincial Public Relations Office ! that it contribute 3d a head of population yearly toward the funds of the office.

The public relations officer, Mr M. L. Tronson, said that he was greatly disappointed that the council would not help, particularly as several suburban municipalities had withheld making a decision until they saw what lead the city would give. But, he added, the response recently from business men and from some borough councils had been encouraging and the office no longer faced the financial crisis which had earlier confronted it. Mr Tronson said he realised, too, the generous help given by the City Council with finance for Western Springs, an area the office leases from the council.

In the last two years the council has granted a total of £6OOO toward the maintenance of Western Springs and is spending £3580 on improving the stadium field for international-class Soccer. To raise funds, the Public Relations Office will, toward the end of October, promote a mystery envelope scheme.