RADIUM FUND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19257, 22 August 1924, Page 7

RADIUM FUND.

THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. MAXIMUM FOR EACH CENTRE FIXED. (Pie Unitkj* Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 21. Cabinet Las decided that it can give a subsidy of only 10s in tho pound to appeals such as ‘that of the Radium Fund Committee, the maximum for each centre not to exceed £SOOO. “I am very sorry to disappoint you, but disappoint you I must, ' said the Prime Minister to a deputation which waited on him and Sir Maui Pomare this morning to urge that at least pound for pound should bo paid by tlve Government on the amount collected in connection with the radium appeal. The deputation pointed out that people had been led to believe that the Govern raent would subsidise the amount collected, and they feared that if it were not granted the public would regard it as a breach’ of faith. Sir Maui Pomare : Who gave the assurance? Mr Mitchell replied: ‘T was led to understand that the committee generally was given to understand that it is on the Statute Book.” Mr Massey: It is not on the Statute Book. Sir Maui Pomare: Did not Sir I rancis Bell warn you that the Government would not- subsidise? Mr Mitchell: There was no definite warning. He said it was a matter for the Government. Mr Massey said it was quite certain the Government was going to have appeals from other centres besides Wellington. The plain truth was that appeals for subsidies had become so numerous that tlie Government could not stand up to them.