The City’s budget

Press, 1 June 1977, Page 16

The City’s budget

Sir, —As a ratepayer, I was interested in the remarks made by Gerry Gilmore (“The Press,” May 30). Thank goodness we have Cr Garrett who knows why she is sitting on the Christchurch City Council —to protect the ratepayers. Are we not paying enough now, through taxes, to social welfare? The council is dealing with public money. It is not a benevolent society for all who apply for a hand-out. No-one gets anything without hard work. The norm today seems to be—sit back and let the workers and home owners do it all. The ones who are prepared to do their bit are taxed out of their tiny minds by social welfare. And now the icing on the bitter pillratepayers are expected to give to things they probably

have already given to through their churches. Not on, old boy, not on at all. Cr Garrett will get my vote. — Yours, etc.. (Mrs) P. COTTEN. May 31, 1977. Sir, —One wonders how long Cr Garrett regards an organisation as “trendy new.” 6A has been functioning for six years—no mean feat for a voluntary drop-in centre. Besides providing a centre, 6A l)as branched into other activities: research into the causes of delinquency, study of overseas methods of prevention, placing submissions before Royal Commissions and select committees. Volunteers continue to provide support and practical help, to former ex-6A young marrieds as well. A full time woiker in the courts liaises with duty solicitors, ensures that young defendants turn up on time, consults their probation and welfare officers, and helps Maoris and Polynesians with legal terminology. The Taua Mahi Trust contract team of 41 workers is comprised mainly of 6A graduates. We are grateful to the Christchurch City Council for support. Raising money is our greatest difficulty, and constitutes the greatest diversion from our real work.— Yours, etc., KATRINE BROWN. May 30, 1977. Sir, —With reference to Cr Garrett’s reply to my letter (“The Press,” May 30) Cr Garrett apparently did not realise that my reference to “The Press” of May 25 was to your Christchurch City Council reporter’s description of the budget debate as “the morality of balanced budget?.” The expression was not ascribed to her. I am, however, rather surprised that Cr Garrett should consider, among others, subburban child care and the Women’s Refugee Centre, both of which she specifically mentioned at the council meeting, as just “anv trendy new organisation.” How are long-neglected problems to be solved if support is given only to established organisations active in other areas? There was never any suggestion of necessarily reduced support for ’ one organisation in favour of another.—-Yours, etc., GERRY GILMORE. Mav 30, 1977.