RAISING OF FUNDS

Chronicle (Levin), 8 February 1947, Page 2

RAISING OF FUNDS

-Press Association

HORTICULTURAL INSTITUTE

Bv Telearavh-

HASTINGS, Feb. 6. Pointed remarks aliuding to the ■aising of funds for ctlie vvork of the Koyal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture marlced a lively discussion at tlie society 's anuual conference in Hastings tliis morning. In seconding a motion recommending the adoption of the balance-sheet, Mr. C. Matthews (Wellington) said that over the past four years the cliairman had been "in the role of a professional beggar, but without being so suceessful. " "His tactics in always appealing for dnancial support for the institute are like those of the old-time parson who eastigated liis congregation because otliers were not attending his church, ' ' said Mr. Matthews. "The appeal should be direeted to the thousands who have not heard of the institute, and not those wlio are members. "We can get all the funds we wa'nt — more than we would know what to do with — if we adopted the right means, " said Mr. Matthews. "The ftrst tliing to do is to sliow the public that we have a policy worthy of support, that the institute is alive and doiug sometliing, and that it is the axis around which the whole of the horticultural world of New Zealand revolves. The institute has no appreciation of publicity, and thinks that so long as it circularises a few ineinbers 'that is all that is necessary to bring in the money from the North Cape to the Bluff. That is not enough. " Mr. D. Tannock (Dunedin) coutended that too small an amount was asked from local bodies, and he suggestedthat if iarger aniounts were asked for there would be no difficulty in getting them. Mr. C. W. Corner (Napier) pointed out that the Napier and Hastings Borough Councils had not hesitated to give 50 guineas each to the conference week. They had never asked for larger annual subscriptions, so it was no wonder that they did not get more. "1 do not agree that you do not ask for enough. The fact is that you do not do enough for what you get," said Mr. G. W. jvnowles (Timaru). "It takes the oxecutive too long to do tliings. What has been done about the renuts passed at Timaru last year? Nothing. And so it goes on. The institute is dead — well, maybe a maii who can lie down and twiddle his toes and wink is still alive, but that is about all. ' \ "You all pass the buck back to the executive, " said the jjresident, Mr. Hope B. Gibbons, "but what are you doing in your own districts"? The iocal committees have q. job to do,' too. You doa't- want to-be spoonfed. Has. the council to corne out and use the big L>oot to make you functionf Y'ou liave a job to do locally, the same as we have uationally, and there is aomething for everyone to do instead of passing the buck. ; ' \ A brief discussion followed, part taking place in committee, and the whole matter Avas referred to the executive for full consideration.