SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18953, 29 August 1923, Page 4

SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM.

MR ROBERT BELL’S GIFT. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DISCUSSION. (From Ode Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 28. The Hon. M. Cohen asked in the Legislative Council to-day why a gift of £3OOO made by Mr Robert Bell for (he foundation of a School of Journalism had not cocn supplemented by the usual Government subsidy. It was stated, Mr Cohen added, that tho effect of ,the Government’s failure to subsidise this gift was to prevent other gifts from going to the institution concerned. Such an attitude on the part of tho Government was sure to dry up the source of private benevolence. He hoped the Government would see its way to give a subsidy, and in this way encourage other benefactors. • Sir Francis Bell said he was not in accord with tho opinion expressed by Mr Cohen. He thought it was a most contemptible position. if nothing were to be given unless the Government subsidised the benefaction. A difficulty was that there was alarm at tho possibility of the finances being upset in this way. The limit was set by the extent to which the Consolidated Fund could bo drawn on. He did not believe there was a member of the Council who would refrain from a benevolent gift he thought ho should make, because of the point mentioned by Mr Cohen. He did not mind the country encouraging benefactions, but ho did not think that the view expressed was correct. P Tho Treasury would never stand what had been suggested, and would not bo worthy of the name if it did. The Hon. 0. Samuel agreed with tho opinion expressed bv Sir Francis Bell. Sir Thomas Mackenzie said <bat things had to he taken as they were, and there could bo no doubt that the funds of the institutions had benefited through it being assumed that gifts would be subsidised. The Hon. W. Snodgrass said the Government had gone even further than Sir Francis- Bell had suggested. The gifts of Mr Cawthron during that gentleman’s lifetime were subsidised, but not only was the sum of £200.000. which was given upon his death not subsidised, but from it £40,000 was taken by way of death duty. Such action was to tho detriment of the whole of the people of Now Zealand.