GAMES FINANCE Ministers Ask For More Details

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32037, 11 July 1969, Page 1

GAMES FINANCE Ministers Ask For More Details

More specific details of two financial aspects of the Christchurch application to hold the Commonwealth Games in 1974 are being sought by the Government before it decides whether to grant $250,000 towards the cost of the games.

This request arose from an hour’s meeting in Wellington yesterday between the Ministers of Finance (Mr Muldoon), Internal Affairs (Mr Seath), and Tourism (Mr Thomson) and a sevenman deputation from Commonwealth Games Promotion (Canterbury) and the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association.

The vice - chairman of Commonwealth Games Promotion (Mr R. S. Scott) said

on his return to Christchurch that the deputation had been asked to clarify the guarantee role to be played by the Christchurch City Council and to indicate how the promotion body would raise the $250,000 it had set itself to obtain.

In the sl.2m operational budget submitted by the society, revenue including ticket sales, concessions and television rights—was put at $500,000 and grants and fundraising at $700,000. Of this figure, local bodies in the Canterbury area had agreed to contribute $200,000, the Government had been asked for $250,000, and the remaining $250,000 would be raised by an organising committee. Council “Undertaking”

Mr Muldoon asked the deputation to put in writing its proposals for raising the $250,000 and clarify the position as to the underwriting of the games, in the light of a reference to the City Council’s “earlier undertaking” in the submissions. “The three Ministers were very sympathetic and appeared to be in favour of the project of bringing the games to New Zealand,” said Mr Scott. “I think that each in his own sphere will do everything possible to bring this about. “Mr Muldoon asked for more precise allowance for any increase in costs between now and 1974 which might be brought about by circumstances beyond our control.” The deputation, in turn, had asked the Minister for any guidance he could give on this matter. “We were satisfied by the outcome, and I do not think we will have any difficulty in providing the details,” said Mr Scott. “These should be available within three weeks.” The Press Association quotes Mr Muldoon as saying to reporters: “We’re sympathetic. We have to be sympathetic. I believe we'll be able to act fairly quickly once we get additional details.”

Mr Seath Reclined to go into the further details required by the Government, but said: “Once we have the additional information I will be making a recommendation to the Government.” Society’s Submissions

A summary of Commonwealth Games Promotion’s 15-page submissions to the Government said the society had worked vigorously to obtain the games for New Zealand. To this end it had spent about $19,000, of which all but $2OOO had been raised locally. Other points were:—

There were reasons to believe New Zealand’s application would be successful. The GovernorGeneral (Sir Arthur Porritt), with his special contacts, would probably confirm this. The society believed many benefits would accrue to New Zealand as a result of the games, the publicity which would emanate from them and the stimulus they would bring to many sectors of the community. The society had enjoyed the

full co-operation of all sectors in its work and had the promised support from all the necessary organisations for the task ahead. The society had an organisation poised to take over the greater responsibilities. All capital costs would be borne by local government. The society had confidence in its ability to obtain or provide the sums of money as detailed in the operational budget. The $250,000 requested from the Government would bridge the final gap and make the whole project possible and viable.