Corso considers new plans to raise funds

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 17

Corso considers new plans to raise funds

PA Wellington Corso received $272,000 from its national appeal this year — only about 2 per cent up on last year and well short of the target figure of $300,000.

"We had difficulties in the lower South Island in particular." said Corso's administration officer, Mr Mike Alderidge. This was because the weather had been cold and wet on the collection day and one or two areas had not been well organised. In reply to a question he said that he did not think there was any fall in support because of tfie controversies Corso had been involved in.

“There is still widespread and solid support for the organisation." he said.

The fact that the appeal was held only two weeks before Telethon might have contributed. Also, the proliferation of such appeals might have had an effect.

Mr Aldridge said that Corso, at its annual meeting in Wellington looked at other ways of raising funds that would supplement the annual appeal. One way was to appeal directly by mail to known supporters, he said. The chairman of Corso, Mr John L’Estrange, said that the annual meeting reaffirmed the programme supporting the struggle for development of peoples. Attending the meeting were about 80 people from throughout New Zealand representing Corso's constitu-

tional and regional bodies, he said.

Mr L’Estrange was reelected chairman and also re-elected were the vicechairman. Ms Cecily McNeill (Auckland), and the treasurer, Mr Kevin Clark (Wellington).

Corso, sometimes described as New’ Zealand's main aid agency, has been embroiled in controversy since it affirmed that its task is to help people overcome injustice and the unequal distribution of power and wealth.

In 1979 the regional organiser of Corso for Otago and Southland, Mr Walter Lawry. resigned because he was disturbed at the way the organisation was changing.

Corso statements that be-

tween 20 and 40 per cent oi New Zealanders were severly deprived or fell below the poverty line, angered the Government, which removed tax concessions on donations to the organisation last year. Before its June appeal this year Corso was attacked by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) who said in a letter to the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid, that Corso had “advocated courses of ation that would be damaging to New Zealand’s name and repfitation.” Denying this, Mr L’Estrange said that Corso had an international reputation as a New Zealand aid agency and its policy — working for justice — had been consistent for 36 years.