C.D. Subsidy ‘Too Small’

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31658, 19 April 1968, Page 1

C.D. Subsidy ‘Too Small’

(N.Z. Press Association; AUCKLAND, April 18. The Government subsidy for civil defence in Auckland ($842) was chicken feed and acted merely as an irritant, Mr D. M. Robinson, civil defence controller for the Auckland subregion said today. Time after time the Auckland Regional Authority had

appealed to the Government for a realistic approach to subsidies so that vital equipment could be bought, he said. “We have been making these appeals for years now. “It is high time that something was done and I welcome the news that positive steps are being taken to review the financial question.” Mr Robinson was commenting on a statement by the

Minister of Civil Defence (Mr Seath) on moves to improve aspects of civil defence. Mr Robinson said he saw no need to reorganise civil defence in the Auckland area. “All that is needed is money for equipment,” he said. “Increased subsidies would be a great help.” Mr S. R. Noall, chairman of the Authority Civil Defence Committee said the committee felt that the Government should bear the full cost of civil defence. The authority, which assumed responsibility for coordinating civil defence in Auckland in 1964, had spent $BO,OOO of ratepayer’s money. The Government subsidy, which began a year ago, was only $842. Mr Noall said he saw no reason why money from the Earthquake and War Damage Fund could not be used to finance civil defence.