GAMES REQUIRE MORE GOVT AID

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33959, 27 September 1975, Page 1

GAMES REQUIRE MORE GOVT AID

(By

K. J. McMENAMIN)

The New Zealand Games organising committee will ask the Government to reconsider its financial commitment to the second Games, to be held in Christchurch in January, 1977.

These Games are likely to cost about $700,000 — an increase of more than $200,000 on the figure for the first Games, and although the terms are different, .the Government’s commitment is, in fact, unchanged.

The Government made a direct grant of $30,000 this year, and underwrote the venture up to $70,000 — $48,000 of which was required to cover the loss. For 1977, the Government has promised a grant of $50,000, plus a $50,000 underwriting. Underwriting It might seem that the Government—especially one ■which has made available large sums to sport — is not being over-generous in giving $50,000, or 7 per cent of the likely cost, to an event of such national, and international, importance.

However, it is the underwriting that concerns the committee more, and this is what it will ask the Government to review. There is little doubt that the committee is going to have financial problems, but even so it is optimistic about making a profit. The view of some members is that unless there is a profit this time, the Games might have to be discontinued. But while a profit is hoped for, the possibility of another deficit cannot be ruled out—

and this is what is worrying the committee. It is not impossible that the loss might exceed the Government’s underwriting of $50,000. Who would then cover the excess? The committee, the members individually, or Christchurch? Or would it be back to raffle books? Questions like these worry the committee as it bends to the task of the detailed planning for 1977. They are questions that will continue to be I bothersome unless the right answers can be found.