HOME GUARD FINANCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 282, 12 March 1941, Page 5

HOME GUARD FINANCE

TOO HEAVY FOR LOCAL BODIES r OPINION 1 OF BOROUGH COUNCIL That the carrying of the Home Guard financial requirements was beyond the capacity of the local bodies and that such should be a charge on the Consolidated Fund was the view of the Whakatanc Borough Council when the question was introduced at Monday night's meeting. The Mayor reported) that this view had been general when the matter had been discussed at the Municipal Association's Conference held at Auckland last week. A letter was before the Council from the local Home Guard asking for financial assistance and pointing out in making the request that the Council had previously agreed to assist to the extent of £20 and had to date paid only £10. The letter went on to explain that an estimate of the running costs had been made and this was revealed at apn proximately £59 18s per month, petrol being the chief item. Views of Conference His Worship, addressing the meeting, stated that a remit had been before the conference suggesting that the local bodies be relieved of all the expense of the Guard activities and that the funds be drawn from the Consolidated Fund. It had been generally approved that this should be so, although it was felt that local bodies would be willing to bear the smaller expenses of their local offices.

The line had been drawn when the consensus of opinion had bceij established that the Government should foot the bill for all equipment etc. as down to area headquarters, while local bodies should not be asked to assist than their local committees. This would mean that Whakatane would not be asked to assist the financing of the Area Headquarters as it had recently been by the Mayor of Roto-! rua. Position Impossible Mr Barry continued to state that the expenses of the area should not be an expense that the local bodies should be asked to bear—it would be unfair and when faced with a figure such as £50 per month to do so was impossible. He at this stage pointed out that in agreeing to the covering of local unit expenses city representatives at the conference had, of course, not considered the lai'ge expense incurred by travelling. In their areas travelling was negligible, while in the country ai - eas it Avas the main concern and, even at the lowest figure possible, would reach sums which the smaller local bodies could not hope to meet. In conclusion His Worship stated that it was only fair that the Borough should bear some of the costs of the local committee but he did not feel that it was possible or fair that they should pay area expenses or petrol costs.

Petrol Costs

Speaking Jn support councillor W. Sullivan stated that the estimated costs, as presented in the letter from the local committee, were a minimum and the costs wou,ld be very substantial if also area activities had to be paidi for. If benzine was to be found for men in the country districts, as it should be, the costs would be far in excess of the amount the local bodies would be able to contribute. It was only reasonable that such funds should come irom the Consolidated Fund. "To ask the County Council and the Borough Council for £600 to £700 annually to cover such expenses is asking for something tlKjy won't get," said Cr Sullivan continuing to state that to ask the ratepayers to supply the funds was wrong in principle. Growth of Guard Cr Shapley was of the opinion that local committee expenses should be assisted. The Guard had now grown to large and very necessary body and was incurring expenses, which were undoubtedly beyond the local bodies. Rates could not be increased to cover such expenditure. He added that if the Government did not provide funds for expenses the work would be hampered and would depreciate in effectiveness. That a resolution covering the country districts difficulties should be sent to the authorities was a (Continued foot next column).

view expressed by Cr G. Otley. who stated that the petrol problem in the country areas was indeed the burning question. If only the cost of petrol could be obtained he felt it would be sufficient as many men would give the use gf their cajrs. Some assistance would have to be given to the people in the outlying areas. "The Government does not appear to fully realise what the country Home Guards are doing as regards putting their hands in their pockets," he added. Council's Decision. It was carried unanimously that the financing of the Home Guard was entirely beyond the local bodies as an increase in rates for the purpose could not be countenanced, and that the Borough was of the opinion that the cost of operating, the Guard, particularly in country areas, should be borne by the State. On the suggestion of the Mayor it was further decided that the Council get in touch with the executive committee of the Municipal Association in regard to the matter pointing out the difference between the position in the cities and the country districts. It was also a decision to inform the local and Area Committees that the financing of any area costs or the supplying of funds for petrol was beyond the Council, but assistance would be forthcoming for the meeting of office expenses in conjunction with the County Council and the £10 asked for would be forwarded.