FESTIVAL IN DOUBT FOR LACK OF FUNDS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30399, 25 March 1964, Page 3

FESTIVAL IN DOUBT FOR LACK OF FUNDS

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 24. The Auckland City Council finance committee and the Waitemata County Council have refused to contribute towards the June festival marking Auckland’s half-million population.

The celebrations might have to be modified or cancelled. Mr D. A. Highet, chairman of the celebrations steering committee, said this evening he was staggered by the decision of the council finance committee not to make a grant of £9OO.

The steering committee had budgeted for an expenditure of £4OOO. It hoped to raise half of this from local bodies and the other half from business firms. Local bodies were asked to contribute on the basis of Ijd a head of population.

The city council finance committee, which has power to act on requests for grants, has declined to make a monetary contribution, but offered to put a float in the celebrations parade on June 6. The Mayor (Mr D. M. Robinson) said this evening he regretted the decision of the finance committee as much as anyone. “But after all,” he said, “I have only one vote ; on the committee.” , The Waitemata county chairman (Mr W. B. Souter) said today the council could

use its proposed contribution of about £4OO for more useful purposes within the county. “I don't think reaching 500,000 is any more significant than reaching 480,000 or even 520.000,” he said. The Auckland Public Relations Officer (Mr M. L. Tronson) said this evening that if the city council did not support the celebrations financially, “the whole thing becomes impossible and ridiculous.” It was Mr Robinson, as the Auckland Metropolitan Council chairman, who suggested the celebrations, he said. “The £4OOO is a very small amount of money to ask for a promotion that would have considerable impact throughout New Zealand and overseas,” said Mr Tronson. Mr Tronson and Mr Highet will call on the Mayor tomorrow. A deputation from the celebrations steering committee will wait on the Auckland City Council if necessary, Mr Highet said.