COUNCIL GRANTS

Evening Star, Issue 17954, 27 April 1922, Page 4

COUNCIL GRANTS

EXPANSION LEAGUE AHO MUSEUM. £2OO EACH. A largo deputation from tho Otago Expansion League waited upon the Oily Council last evening to ask for a. con[dilution to Urn funds of tlio longue. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., said the deputation felt sure i’t could present a very strong case in support of its request for ft contribution. Ho stressed the importance of the work of the league, and stated that whatever brought more money or more people to the city reflected beneficially upon the property and upon the rateable value of the city.' The league had spent a considerable amount upon advertising the city. Its guide to 'Dunedin and environs was the only one of its kind, and it had also spent money in connection with special publications describing tourist resorts in the province, such ns the Milford track and cold lakes, these being posted all over the world. Money also been spent by the league in entertaining visitors. The council recognised the league s work by contributing £IOO a year for three years before the war. No doubt _it was justified at the time in discontinuing the contribution, but it was felt that a contribution should now bo renewed. _ In 1918, in order that local bodies might make such payments without the legality of their being questioned, Parliament bad passed special legislation. It was yr great advantage to have a body which focussed the attention of M.P.s and others upon the needs of the city. Mr S. B. Macdonald said the income of the league last year was £4OO, this being raised by voluntary contributions of private citizens and members oi the league. If they had had the financial assistance which had been given to similar bodies in Canterbury and Southland they would have been able to do a great deal more than they had done. The activities of the league were circumscribed by the amount of its income ; £4OO was absolutely insufficient. If the City Council turned them down they would hardly be able to approach other public bodies in the province and make the same request. If the City Council turned them down—and he spoke advisedly—it meant that the league would have to go out of existence. It would be a step in the wrong direction if the league had to cease its activities. The Mayor said that, on behalf of the council, he would like to say that the remarks of the deputation were appreciated. He agreed that if the league went out of existence it would he a serious thing for the citv. He wanted to say further —and ho thought ho could say the same on behalf of all members of the council—that the work the league was doing for the citv was much appreciated. (Hear, hear.) ", lb was decided to consider the request in conjunction with the, estimates for the vear.

Later in the evening Cr Taverner moved that tho estimates be confirmed. Ho said they showed that tho total sum required for" tho incoming year was £156,693, as against £129,975 for last, year. ’Cr Shacklock seconded.

Cr Wilson moved as an amendment that £2OO be provided for the Expansion League and £2OO for the Museum out of the £7OO provided for sundry expenses. Cr Sincock seconded the amendment. Cr Begg gave notice of a further amendment. Cr Scott; Let us know what it is. Cr Begg: I indicate that it will be for a reduction in tho figures. Cr Wilson’s amendment was put to the meeting and carried. Cr Begg then moved as a further amendment that the sum of £IOO bo voted to the Expansion League and £IOO to tho Museum. Ho said he would like to bo able to agree to £2OO each if it wore possible, but they were up against it with regard to finance. Last year they had a surplus, hut it had to be used for the relief of unemployment. Further, if £2OO wore granted to each they would be inundated with requests from other bodies. There was the Technical College, whose request they had repeatedly turned down, and tho Y.M.C.A., which had also continually been turned down. Unemployment was still hero, and he contended that the major portion of the surplus should be reserved for such a contingency. Cr Hayward seconded, and said he only wished they could give tho Expansion League £2CO or more, because it had done such good work for the province; but the point was; How long was tho council’s surplus going to last? The council could not see the year through without somo other calls on its funds. It was necessary to practise economy, and they should not burden tho ratepayers any more than was possible. Cr Wilson said it was not fair that the University should bo saddled with the total cost of a museum for the benefit of the public. If tho council limited tho Expansion League to £IOO it meant practically depriving the citizens of any benefits they could derive from the league. Cr Shacklock said that £ICO to cacti of tho bodies was as much as the council could afford at present.

Cr Scott was in favor of £2OO being riven to each body. The Expansion League was an organisation that should be supported to tho fullest capacity. Cr Larnach was of tho same opinion. The Expansion League had received nothing from the council for some years, Cr Taverner also thought that each body should bo granted £2OO. Cr Begg’s amendment was lost, and tho report, as amended, granting £2OO to each body, was adopted.