State aid for museums and galleries

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32536, 20 February 1971, Page 16

State aid for museums and galleries

In his latest report to the Canterbury Museum Trust Board, the museum’s director (Dr R. S. Duff) gave an account of two approaches to the Government for capital assistance. One was made early this month on behalf of the 63 institutions joined in the Art Galleries and Museums Association. The association has found that there is no agency of central government to which it may take its claims for support from the taxpayer. Except for the Dominion Museum and the National Art Gallery, the public galleries and museums in New Zealand are maintained by their local communities and by the combined efforts of local bodies. If local bodies were not already overburdened, the argument for, financial support by the centra] government would be less persuasive. In fact, the association has good grounds for asking for national support by way of subsidies on capital sums raised locally to enlarge the space in museums and galleries. The estimated annual appropriation of $200,000 that is sought seems very modest Dispensed at the rate of $2 for every $1 raised locally—as suggested by the association—this small annual sum would supply substantial additions to buildings over a few years. The second approach mentioned by Dr Duff was on behalf of the Canterbury Museum’s plan for a new wing to house a national Antarctic museum. The Canterbury Museum has acquired a number of large exhibits and more than 2000 small Antarctic items as well as the impressive beginnings of a polar reference library. These will help to create something of much more than local interest and importance; indeed, it will be properly called a national museum and should acquire an international reputation. Amid many claims on State funds today the enterprise might not seem to be urgent Nevertheless, a start must be made sooner or later; and an assurance of progressive contributions from the State need nbt conflict with the present efforts of the Government to restrict the expansion of State spending. New Zealand is playing its part in Antarctic research; and it is proper that there should be a national repository for historic items and for exhibits of scientific and educational interest Since one of the aims of the Antarctic museum is to be a reference and research centre it might well become closely linked with the Antarctic division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, for the work of both should be mutually beneficial. The Canterbury Museum’s appeal for aid deserves a favourable answer even if money is not immediately forthcoming.