HOME GUARD EXPENSES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 270, 12 February 1941, Page 5

HOME GUARD EXPENSES

BOROUGH TO PAY SHARE DUTY OF GOVERNMENT STRESSED That it would meet its share of the expenses incurred by the establishment of Home Guard headquart--e?rs for the area which embraced Whakatane, which have been located -at Rotorua, was the decision of the Whakatane Borough Council at its meeting held on Monday night, but the opinion war expressed that the matter of finance was one for the • attention *of the Government and that any expenditure after March 31 should be arranged on a different .basis. His Worship the Mayor stated that at present the Home Guard had no source of revenue. There was no compulsion, but local bodies were permit, contribute to the expenses iff they so wished. He was of the opinion that the Council should .assist with the initial expenditure, "but considered that the matter of rfinance generally was one for the "Government.

Continuing, Md Barry said that neither the Borough or the County Council had had any notice to attend : a meeting of local bodies at which the allocations of expenses were made. "We don't know who the exe--cutive committee members are," he added. *1 have no doubt they are • good men, but it is no part of our job to hand over the ratepayers money if we have no voice in the spending of it." However, the amount incurred was small and as the •Guard was necessary and the ex* pense would have to be met, he favoured the payment of the allocation <on this occasion.

That he supported the Mayor's view, but was of the opinion that the finance of the Guard was a State affair was the comment of Cr S. S. Shapley, who added that the council should assist in this case, but in

future treat the matter of such expenditure cautiously.

The council's allocation of the £120 required for expenses already incurred and future needs to March •31 Avas £3 8s 9d, of which advertising etc. had amounted to £23 and petrol £65 5s 4d, and quoting this information Cr W. Sullivan expressed the view that the Government •appointed the Commander and should stand his expenses. Local Bodies should not be asked to supply this amount. It meant the ratepayers foot the bill and once again the man with possessions was being penalised. "We are reaching the stage rapidly in this country," he said, "where the equity of a man is: being cancelled." He, however, •agreed that the allocation Ayas only ~a small one and that the matter of finance Avould probably be satisfactorily, arranged before commitments -were made in the new financial year.

His Worship also drew attention •of councillors to the fact that an application was before the meeting for free lighting at the Home .Guard •orderly room in the Strand and also that floodlighting w T as required at the Domain. .

It was decided that the allocation to headquarters expenses be paid -and that the lighting be provided ;as requested.