LOCAL BODIES' FUNDS AND THE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16646, 3 September 1914, Page 6

LOCAL BODIES' FUNDS AND THE WAR.

The decision of the .Lyttelton Harbour Board to contribute a thousand pounds to the Empire Defence Fund will arouse as little popular enthusiasm as it seems to have kindled in the members of tho Board themselves- The majority of the speakers at the meeting yesterday either candidly disapproved the vote or damned it with the faintest ~~6f faint praise. It is clear that they were mostly of the opinion that the cost of' sending volunteer soldiers to the assistance of the Empiro ought to bo borno wholly by the Government, and not partly from subscriptions by public bodies. But the Board appears to have felt itself bound to maintain a certain decision reached in committee, when the position in regard to the Validation Act was less dubious than it is now. For some reason we find it hard to understand, the majority of members deemed it proper for the Improvement Committee, which was admittedly inadequately informed* to overrule, or to govern, the Board, which had fuller knowledge—the knowledge that the law does not validate, and the Government does not propose to, make it validate, any votes by local bodies other than contributions for the direct relief of the State exchequer. We cordially agree with the view that has been so widely expressed, and that was freely endorsed at the Harbour Board meeting, that the Government should have stood the entire cost of equipping and despatching tho Expeditionary Forces. There are very many other avenues for tho employment of local bodies' funds, of moneys given by patriotic individuals and institutions, and of funds established by other agencies. The wisdom of leaving these funds free to meet the extra calls.that aro being mado and will be made upon them are so obvious that they seem to have impressed 'nearly everybody—outside of Parliament. The Lyttelton Harbour Board can only be regarded as another exception if it be judged on its decision rather than Its debate. There is almost a touch of the comic in the fact that in making a present of a thousand pounds to the Government tho Board was endorsing the recommendation of tho "Improvements Committee." If that coriimittee felt justified in advising the special expenditure of such a substantial sum of money, it would have been wiso to advocate reclamation work, which would not only have been a real improvement, but would have afforded, practical assistance where it is most required, namely, in tho provision of profitable employment.