WAR MEMORIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26749, 19 April 1948, Page 7

WAR MEMORIAL

PLANS FOR ALEXANDRA MINISTERIAL SANCTION On Friday evening the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, visited Alexandra to discuss with the local committee the proposal for a community centre. The Mayor, Mr G. H. Fox, extended a welcome to the Minister. Mr W. A, Bodkin, M.P., explained the proposal, which was for a war memorial in the district. It would take the form of a community centre. The estimated cost of the building was £30,000. They hoped for £20,000 by public subscription, £IO,OOO by Government subsidy, and the remainder from a loan raised by the Borough Council. Mr Parry said it was pleasing to see the district was interested in a community centre, which provided for the physical, spiritual, and cultural activities of the district. As a memorial to the fallen the community centre was an excellent idea. Especially should this be fostered in farming areas, and so assist in stopping the drift to the towns. He was particularly anxious to get the community centre idea a public policy, and not any particular party policy. The Government did not desire to dictate in any way. It would give £1 for £1 on all money raised. He personally favoured a subsidy on loan moneys, but this point was not yet decided. There was considerable objection to having the centres in domains throughout the country, but he himself had nothing against it. Mr A. G. Harper, Under-Secretary of the Internal Affairs Department, said the plan complied in every respect with what was required in a community centre.