GOLD RUSH HISTORY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29989, 26 November 1962, Page 8

GOLD RUSH HISTORY

Literary Fund Grant Made (ParUamtntary Reporter) ' WELLINGTON, Nov. 23. An apparent contradiction in the policy of awUtance by the Government in the publication of local histories was explained in Parliament today by the Minister of Internal Affairs fMr Goto). Sir Basil Arthur (Opposition, Timaru) asked Mr Gota why, in view of his advice that the Literary Fund advisory committee did not recommend that the assistance should be given for the publication of local histories, the fund did assist the publication of "The West Coast Gold Ruahes," by P. R. May. a* indicated in thi* year’s annual report of the department. "The Literary Fund advisory committee, in recommending grant* to me. gives first priority to creative literature, although it has occasionally recommended grants to assist the publication of historical works of national or regional importance, where these have real literary merit." Mr Gotz said. "The committoe has not. as a matter of policy, considered grant* for the histories of smaller localities. To make grant* for such a purpose would in any case be beyond the economical resources o' the fund.

“The West Coast gold rushes, to which the honourable member refer*, was recommended by the committee as a national work of considerable literary merit"