EARTHQUAKE RELIEF BENEFIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1929, Page 10

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF BENEFIT.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —According to to-night’s issue of the Stratford Evening Post I am given credit fcr stopping this so-called benefit match, Star v. Stratford, and I much regret not being able to accept this honour. It is simply contrary to law to charge two shillings without Government authority, subject to being recommended by the Domain Board. I was surprised to find that the union was going on with the benefit match, and immediately advised the secretary in these words: ‘’The union cannot charge two shillings and unless this fact is advertised to-night and to-morrow morning I will myself advise the public that the usudl charge of one shilling only will be allowed and will take steps to see that this is carried out.’’ After this intimation the union advertised that the benefit had been abandoned, and if it had left it at that I would have had no more to say. It is stated that half the gross takings were to be donated to the relief fund. Yes, after raising the price 100 per cent., and that the fund is losing £l4O. The union can still, by arrangement, donate a good portion of the gate to the fund, if not all, and this would make it a real benefit, one that would be appreciated. But we must remember that the union has already made a donation of five guineas! I maintain that football enthusiasts do not require to be bludgeoned into subscribing, and am sure the fund will gain much more than the supposed loss by voluntary subscriptions.—l am, etc., j w. McMillan, Mayor. Stratford, July 18.