RATES REMISSION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 84, 6 October 1931, Page 8

RATES REMISSION

ART GALLERY REQUEST

THE MAYOR IN REPLY DIFFICULT FINANCES For many years past the City Council has remitted the rates chargeable upon the property of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, but this year, in view of the difficult financial position, the council decided that it could grant no subsidies, and that the rates remission in this case should be regarded as subsidy. The academy was so advised, and last evening a deputation from the society waited upon the council, sitting as the Finance Committee, to ask that the concession should be reinstated. Dr. A. D. Carbery, president of the academy, said that at a time when there wave so many calls upon the municipal purse it might seem that the appeal came amiss. At a time when even the first needs of life were lacking in the homes of some citizens, to ask for help for an object which some might think to be a luxury needed courage, based upon the conviction that the endeavour was not self-seeking, but was for the advantage of all.

Dr. Carbery went on to stress the importance of art in the development of any city of standing, for art had an intangible but powerful influence in furthering the chief aim of municipalities, which was to stir up in the dwellers a common pride on their city and a sturdy devotion to its interests. In English cities town halls, art gal-: lories, and public libraries were regarded aa deserving of special care and munificence. In New Zealand, the Auckland City Council had cheerfully undertaken the responsibility to support their art gallery, and in Christchurch .the council was assisting to finance the new art gallery erected through the generosity of a private citizen. "It seems incredible," he continued, "that the town dweller should willingly squander money on exhibitions of so-called 'living' pictures—ephemeral things of doubtful value —and grudge a little assistance to the preservation of pictures of which some at least may bo immortal." In Wellington the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts had shouldered the responsibility and had largely contributed, by subscriptions from its 700 members, to the project for a National Gallery on Mount Cook, to which the academy would surrender in time all its accumulated funds. In conclusion, Dr. Carbery spoke of the value of an art gallery in lifting people from their surroundings, particularly at the present time, and urged that the council should assist the academy by remititng the rates. AIMS OF THE SOCIETY. Mr. J. B. Ewan said that the academy was not asking anything for itself; it was a purely voluntary body, and had provided a gallery and a collection of pictures, valued at some £8500, for the people of Wellington. In addition, the society has done much to foster New Zealand art and to encourage New Zealand artists. Two exhibitions were usually held each year, and often they were run at a loss, but nevertheless were an important factor in the fostering of art. The society's income came from subscriptions of members, from the Government, which paid the caretaker's salary in return for the safe keeping of the national collection, and in relief of rates by the City Council. A considerable portion of the subscriptions was absorbed in the art unions, held to encourage and assist 'New Zealand artists, and such money as might be received in bequests, as from the Macarthy Trust, was not available for current expenses, When the regular expenses had "been met there was little left over, and when it was possible these surpluses were expended in the purchase of additional pictures. This year subscriptions were not coming in promptly, and probably some would not be received at all, and the academy, with all the factors in view, asked the council to meet its request for the remission of rates again this year. Sir Truby King endorsed what the other speakers had said, and stressed the influence which an institution _ the object of which was to foster artistic appreciation exercised in a community. THE ALTERNATIVE FOR THE COUNCIL. The Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) said that ho was glad to have heard the society's views, and he could assure the deputation that every councillor was genuinely desirous of helping as far as possible in the development of art in Wellington, but this year the council's position was one of extraordinary difficulty. To bogin with, the council this year had available for general expenses £200,000, whereas last year £300,000 was actually spent, and in addition other revenue had fallen substantially: the indications were that the year would end with a heavy deficit. To date, continued Mr. Hislop, the council had had to dismiss 202 men from the staff and outside workers in order to live within its diminished income. Prior to the present council assuming office, three subsidies had been paid— £3000 to the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum, £200 to the Boys' Institute, and £100 to the Free Kindergarten —but the present council Had declined all others, though all these concerned institutions which worked on a voluntary basis-for unselfish objects.

EMPLOYEES FIRST. "Unfortunately," saia the Mayor, "every penny that is spent on such objects contributes towards tho dismissal of an employee, and every £100 puts at least one man out of work. We have to consider the means of subsistence of our own employees, and I do feel that when we have, in a time of dire stress, to weigh between keeping people in work and finding means of subsistence for their women and children and contributing to other causes at the expense of those women and children, then, as far as I am concerned, the scale turns in favour of keeping the men in work." In conclusion, Mr. Hislop said that the academy had a sum of £12,000 in accumulated funds, and though he did' not, of course, know whether that money was available, he would like the opportunity of discussing the position further with the members of tho deputation. .