FLOOD RELIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23687, 20 December 1938, Page 12

FLOOD RELIEF

ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS CITY COUNCIL'S POSITION PROPOSAL BY CR McMILLAN DEFERRED The proposal of Cr McMillan that the City Council should contribute £ 500 to the relief of those who suffered in the recent week-end flood was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration at the meeting of the council last night. This action, which was taken as the result of the passing of an amendment to Cr McMillan's motion, was described bv him as an excuse to put the question off and " dodge paying anything." "In moving in accordance with the notice I .have given. I would point out that everyone knows the need of the people who suffered in the flood," Cr McMillan said. "It might be argued that there is not enough money in the unauthorised expenditure account to pay this amount, but I am sure that if application were'made to the Minister of Finance to ratify the grant when Parliament meets that would be done." Cr Munro seconded the motion. Amendment Moved Cr Wilson said the Works Committee was n dealing with certain nhases of the flooding at the present time. He understood that Cr McMillan's motion referred _ to the people who were flooded in South Dunedin, but in that case £SOO would he merely a droo in the bucket. He moved an amendment that the matter should be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration. Cr Taverner. who seconded the amendment, said that in his opinion Cr McMillan's motion as it stood was not in conformity with the Standing Orders. He doubted whether it was competent for the council to make such a vote, and if the motion were carried and it was found that the council was not competent to do so. the responsibility would rest on the individual members of the council. Possibly there was a legal liability on the council to contribute to the cost oi repairing flood damage, and rf "if 1 were so the Council, if it carried the motion, would be paying twice. He understood that some claims had already been made against the council. . . " If the council is disposed to vote any money I think now is the time to do it," said Cr Walls. Provided that we can later get sanction from the Minister of Finance, I think the vote should be made during tne Christmas season." The Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) said he considered that as the question was an urgent one the motion was in order, but Cr McMillan's proper course would have been to submit it to the Finance Committee and ask for a ruling. Help Already Given "It would be wrong to let the public think that nothing has been done to alleviate the distress of the people who were affected by the flood," Mr Allen added. " Men were out early on patrol work during the flood at a cost to the council of £447, and on the Monday the Mayor's Relief Depot came immediately into action. We had our officers out going around the flooded homes, and supplies of fuel and food were given. Since that time investigations have been made into the amount of damage done by the flood waters. We have received a number of claims, but there is about £350 to be spent from the Mayor's depot and from other funds subscribed privately. It would be wrong to say that we have not tried to give some comfort to those who need it, but it is not admitted that the council has any liability." "I submitted my notice of motion early so that the Finance Committee would have a chance to look into it," Cr McMillan said, when replying. "I think it is definite tn-at the council is not legaJiy liable, but there can be no doubt about our competence to make a grant. We make grants to all sorts of things, we would be .competent to agree to this motion." The Mayor: Not according to the Standing Orders. "Merely An Lxcuse" Cr McMillan: But I submit that this is a case of urgencv. "It says definitely in tht Standing Orders that such a proposal should come from the Finance Committee," the Mayor replied. Cr McMillan: Well, it is a pity the Finance Committee did not look into it. " The question was never referred to the Finance Committee, or it would have been dealt with," said Cr Taverner, rising to a point of order. "The amendment moved seems merely an excv.se to put this off and dodge paying anything," was Cr McMillan's final remark. The motion was defeated, only Crs McMillan, Munro and Walls voting for it.