Rugby Union Criticises Mayor And Council

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32301, 20 May 1970, Page 18

Rugby Union Criticises Mayor And Council

The Christchurch City Council, and the Mayor (Mr A. R. Guthrey) in particular, were strongly criticised by the management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union last evening, on the council’s decision on Monday night to increase rentals for winter sports grounds.

could put up his charges by 50 ; per cent and say the same things, then he would be the most amazing fellow I have ever seen, and he is not, you know,” Mr McPhail said. "In view of what we do for the youth of Christchurch, if he, ap head of the city, thinks this way, then he is way off beam; and if he has so little knowedge of what we are doing for the youth of Christchurch, then he is way, way off beam.” Rugby was not a moneymaking concern, and if what Mr Guthrey said about secondary schools being made to pay. it would merely be a case of transferring money from one pocket to another. If the education board paid, the union would only have to repay the board. Other groups, such as the arts, had large grants from the council, yet the Rugby Union, which does a great deal for the youth of the city gets very little. "If Mr Guthrey likes to stand on his dignity, we could answer him many ways. I feel very hurt he should say what he did," Mr McPhail added. PIES AND LEMONADE Re-introducing the "userpays” argument, Mr J. Storey suggested that perhaps the union could send Mr Guthrey an account for the pies and lemonade his two sons were given. At the council meeting, Mr Guthrey said he had two sons who played Rugby and al the end of the season they were given drinks, pies and "an awful lot of rubbish.” If this alone was deleted there would be no effect on players’ subscriptions, he said. Mr Thomas said Mr Guthrey's remarks on the pies and drinks called for some correction, and he did not believe the remarks showed good civic responsibility nor leadership in the community. Mr G. G. Don said that some: increases were to be expected and he thought that Mr Guthrey had been talking more as an individual than as a councillor • It is all sports that have been jeopardised, not just Rugby," he added. MAYOR "NOT AFRAID" Mr B. J. Drake said that with no reflection meant on past mayors, he had nothing but admiration for Mr Guthrey. "He has the courage of his convictions and he is not afraid to speak out.” Commonwealth Games Promotion and the Civic Orchestra were two organisations that had been given financial help by the council, and he could not see why the council should not give some help in promoting sport among school-children. "The user-pays argument becomes illogical when it comes to city services. Do the conveniences in the Square pay for themselves?” Mr Drake asked. Then he answered his question iby saying that they did not. 'and that the council made up the difference between "the

The chairman of the c grounds committee (Mr " D. B. Doake) said he r took exception to Mr e Guthrey’s remarks that k Rugby was in a better , position to pay than r other sports. k He was also amazed that f Cr P. J. Skellerup should say * that young people should , have to pay for their sports. J "The city council has a “ responsibility to provide [ sporting facilities and I find [ the levelling of costs on < young people abhorrent,” he { said. INCONSISTENT PAYMENTS ‘ In another local body’s , area in Christchurch, he said, > rentals were half that which 1 will be paid to the City < Council. It was this inconsist- ! ency which also worried him. ] Mr R. W. Thomas said the ' Mayor and the council were very wrong in their attitude ( 1 of advocating the “user-pays” : ■policy. Hundreds of people 1 ; freely gave their time to help | !|the youth of Christchurch and , ; there were many other iavenues besides sport that, Hthe council could apply the I policy. I The chairman of the com- ' • imittee (Mr C. H. McPhail) !| said he was astounded and' ' dismayed when he heard of . Mr Guthrey’s remarks; he I, i considered them to be in very [ ' poor taste. . “If he, as a businessman, , i and he is one, you know, ■I- i

jenny in the Riot" and the ictual running cost. The council was trying to lerve al! interests in the comnunity. but why had it singled tut sport to suffer? For 1700 the -ouncil had made a grave misake, Mr Drake said. "There is nothing we can do Rhe august body has made its lecision. Nothing, perhaps hat is, until the next elecions," .he added.