Duplication of times for conferences

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32562, 23 March 1971, Page 14

Duplication of times for conferences

As Mayor of Christchurch he was entitled to attend ex officio, 22 conferences a year, Mr A. R. Guthrey, said at the City Council last evening.

He moved a motion that the Institute of Park Administration be not held in Christchurch in February in 1973, but "at some other more convenient time.”

The Mayor said that during the recent InterDominion Trotting Championships a conference of 100 persons had been held in Christchurch. The trotting authorities had been forced to find many Australians accommodation outside Christchurch. "When I drew this to the attention of the conference, which I opened, I was informed that the hotel bookings had been made two years ahead —when it was first announced the championships would be held in Christchurch.”

Cr H. G. Hay seconded the Mayor’s motion and said it was hoped to have a festival of arts in the city at the time of the proposed conference. The chairman of the parks and recreation committee (Cr P. D. Dunbar) said: Inconvenient for whom?

The Mayor: For the city. Cr Dunbar said he thought there should be an amendment the motion was not exactly tactful. The director of reserves (Mr H. G. Gilpin) had not issued the invitation. Surely the institute should be asked to examine a proposal that it holds its conference at another time.

The Mayor: That is exactly what the motion suggests. He said that the letter to the institute would be Worded tactfully A councillor: Why not suggest early 1974. Cr H. P. Smith: The suggestion might be taken up more seriously than you think—by many conferences.

The motion was passed on voices.

N.Z. detachment—No decision had been taken yet on whether to replace New Zealand’s infantry company in South Vietnam, the Prime Minister (Sir Keith Holyoake) said yesterday. The company is due for replacement about the end of May.—(P.A.)