Pay deductions for Games

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32775, 27 November 1971, Page 16

Pay deductions for Games

Sir, —The present idea of individual people giving money to the Commonwealth Games leaves me shocked and dismayed. If 10c was given every week by employees of firms to help the needy and suffering in the world not far from our own shores, then, and only then, could we say as New Zealanders, we are not self-centred. Ten cents a week from 250 workers would support five orphans overseas. Must people, in their apathy toward the world around them, give money to support healthy people, to play sport?—Yours, etc.,

B. P. LIDDELL. November 26, 1971.

Sir, —Mr Neaves’s scheme to deduct a weekly amount from wage-earners’ pay packets is nothing new. Such a proposal to help the Games Organising Committee appeal was made a year or more ago, and, I believe, met with limited success. I would like to suggest to any firms participating in such a scheme that their money be contributed to the Games Organis-

ing Committee, whose fundraising efforts have been seriously affected lately. Mr Ron Scott and Mr J. K. McAlpine have both expressed concern that the appeal for funds for Queen Elizabeth II Park will jeopardise the Games Organising Committee’s chances of reaching their required target. Christchurch has had enough of petitions and counterpetitions. Please spare us from fund-raising and coun-ter-fund-raising.—Yours, etc., ONE APPEAL. November 25, 1971.