STRONG TERMS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 10, 30 September 1942, Page 5

STRONG TERMS

COUNTY ASSN'S LETTER

WHAKATANE COUNCIL

SCOLDED'

A singular rejoinder from the Secretary of the N.Z. Counties' Association, following the Whakatane County Council's decision not to agree to an increase in the subscription levy was read at yesterday's meeting. The letter however failed to draw, the council members merely agreeing to receive the letter in common with other unanswered communications. "'I was disappointed," ran the let'ter, "with your reply of 25th August re increase of subscription as I expected. j T our Counci 1 to fall into line with the other Conn lies. What is the cause of the difference of view of the 110 Counties that have paid the increased subscription and your County? It seems to me that your Council's action is a clear indication that it docs not wish to cooperate with me in strengthening our organisation. Surely your Council is not quibbling over the increased subscription just because the increase has not been sanctioned by Conference. By an overwhelming majority the County Councils of the Dominion decided that no Conference was to be held this year, consequently the amendment to Rule fi could not b§ made. Under the scale of subscriptions mentioned in Rule (i it would be impossible for the organisation to carry on. Seeing that I received an assurance from the Audit Department that its auditors would not question payment of the increased subscription,- I can only characterise your County's action as a narrow view of the redtaped variety which always hinders iprogress." The chairman, when the efTcct of the above had sunk in a little said that he did not think anything would be gained by carrying the unatter further. It had been agreed itliat if the council had felt it was 'receiving any great benefit from the Association, there would have been no objection whatever to an increase. Cr MeCready said, that the letter .-accused the Council of the very thing of which the council felt the Association guilty of red tape and .the hindering of progress. The letter was received.