“MAKING GIFTS TO PERSONAL FRIENDS.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 31 March 1931, Page 14

“MAKING GIFTS TO PERSONAL FRIENDS.”

MAYOR MAKES CHARGE AGAINST COUNCILLORS. A charge against some members of the City Council was made by the Mayor (the Rev J. Iv. Archer) at last night’s meeting of the council when the proposal to reduce the salaries of all officers by 10 per cent was under discussion. “ I want to say this deliberately,” said the Mayor, “if they vote for the 10 per cent reduction, some councillors are making gifts of public money to their personal friends. I have a list here of contracts. Some of these contracts are being run by personal or professional of members of this council. There is the Princes Street bridge. (Applause from the gallery.) If there is a reduction in wages, who is to get the benefit? The contractor, who is a friend and relative of one who is at this table.” The Mayor added that a reduction of 10 per cent in wages would go to the private contractors. There was the abattoir contract of £20,000 and the Art Gallery contract of £27,000. “ There is no business man sitting round this council table who is likely to benefit from the wage reductions who has a moral right to vote on this .question,” said Mr Archer. (Applause from the gallery and laughter from Citizens’ Association councillors.) “ I say, take this matter to the people,” cpncluded the Mayor. Councillor M. E. Lyons: It will go to the people. The Mayor said that these reductions were to operate as from April 1 and the election was not until May. Thus, the question was not being left to the people.' If it was left to the people, he would accept the decision of the people without question and would not move an amendment to ; the proposal if he was elected to the council in May. Councillor A. W. Beaven, in reply, said that when wages were rising, contractors lost money, and they were entitled to the benefit now. The matter was then dropped.