TEAS AND CIGARS FOR NAVAL MEN

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18615, 17 November 1928, Page 5

TEAS AND CIGARS FOR NAVAL MEN

(Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, September 6. At the Folkestone Town Council yesterday Councillor Forsyth referred to the expenditure of £2OO granted by the council to entertain the officers and men of 11.M.5. Marlborough when it recently visited Folkestone. .Comparing the amount spent on the men and on the officers’ entertainment he said that 550 teas for the sailors cost Is a head while the dinners cost £169 6s lOd. Fifty-five cigars at Is 6d each were provided, so that each cigar cost half as much against as a tea to a sailor. There were seventy-three dinners at 10s 6d each, and bottles of wffiisky cost 17s 6d each. No doubt everyone was satisfied who were connected with the arrangements, but the ratepayers who had to pay for the cigars at Is 6d each would probably not be satisfied. The way the committee had gone about the arrangements was absolutely reckless. Councillor Hollands: Did not Councillor Forsyth move that £2OO should be expended on the naval visit? Councillor Forsyth: Probably I did, but I am surprised that a Labour councillor agrees to an expenditure of Is 6d on a cigar and Is for a man’s tea. It is reckless expenditure.