CENTENNIAL GRANT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 13

CENTENNIAL GRANT

Population Basis For Allocation GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY Money For Memorials And Celebrations The sum of £150,000 made available by the Government by a subsidy of £1 for £3 on money contributed locally for the cost of approved provincial, district and local memorials and celebrations is to be allocated to the various provincial areas on a population basis, following the adoption of a recommendation on these lines by the National Centennial Council in Wellington yesterday. ’

It was reported that the Taranaki Provincial Centennial Council had suggested to the Minister of Internal Affairs that the Government subsidy for the centennial be allocated to the provincial districts on a population basis, subject to the right of the Government to reallocate to other districts any subsidy not taken up on or before September 30, 1939, by the district to which it was originally allocated. Details of Allocation. The Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, Mr. J. IV. Heenan, reported that if this proposal was adopted the allocation would be as follows :— Population

'The mayor of Dunedin. Mr. A. 11. Allen, said that even if the Government gave £1 for £2, he did not think all rhe £150,000 would be absorbed. The Taranaki proposal found acceptance in Dunedin. Government’s Expenditure. Mr. Heenan said the Government was definite that the subsidy was to be one for three. The Government was committed to huge expenditure in connexion with the centennial. The £150,000 was the Government's maximum liability in subsidies. Mr. Allen said there was no doubt that the Government was doing its share and doing it well. The system proposed by Taranaki would help provincial councils by setting a dead line, Mr. Heenan said.

Mr. K. L. Usmar, representing rhe mayor of Auckland, said the method of allocation proposed was satisfactory to Auckland, which thought it would get a substantial figure from the subsidy available.

'On the motion of the mayor of Christchurch, Mr. R. M. Macfarlane, the Taranaki proposal and the basis of allocation were approved.

No centennial project jyhicli is to he financed by the raising of a loan will be eligible for the subsidy.

including .District. Maoris. Allocation. £ Auckland ... . 520,340 •19,170 East Coast . 35,1.00 3,320 Hawke’s Bay 77,000 7.333 Taranaki ... . 7S.-1O0 7.409 Wellington .. . 319,800 30.223 Marlborough . 19,700 1.803 Nelson 33.500 3.166 Westland .... . 40.000 3.830 Canterbury . 238,535 ,i)43 Otago . 150,700 14.242 Southland 72,900 6,889 Totals 1,587,211 150,000