FREE AMBULANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1934, Page 7

FREE AMBULANCE

COUNCIL AM) SUBSIDY

MATTER DEFERRED

A plea for the restoration of the council's subsidy to the Wellington Free Ambulance was made by Labour members of the' City Council at yes- - terday 's meeting.. Their suggestion that a subsidy should be paid for the present year was not supported by ' other members, who considered Jhat the matter should be left over until the estimates for next year .ware being prepared and, if possible, an increasedamount given to cover this year as well as next. -. : . "'•' i~ ' '

Councillor P." Fraser, "M.P-.j moved1 that a clauscin the r.eport of the estimates committee to the effect that no further action be taken with, regard to granting subsidies; for the years 1933----34 and-1934-35,. should be entirely deleted. "If there is one service more than, another that -really .justifies itself, it is the Free Ambulance," he: said.- "I feel that we should-shoulder , our'responsibility in 'this matter." ■ Councillor •C. H;: Chapman;' JIJ.: I feel that this is an opportune-time for £300 to be voted'to the Free: Ambulance, and I! suggest that it be the only subsidy paid.. We. have got a surplus from £2000 to '■'& 3o,ooo. When the Free Ambulance- approached the': council some time ago we. told them that the matter would be reconsidered,' and now our finances are such'that we could quite easily give them a subsidy of £300. . ■ :•---. '■'",".-■

The Mayor (Mr. T.C. A. Hislop): "Would it; not meet the position if we left the whole question of subsidies out? You can carry the whole thing into: next.year and pay it then. ■

Councillor Chapman: "We may not have a surplus then, and we should pay it out of this year's surplus. ■

The Mayor: I would like to consider the-whole list. There are others besides the Free Ambuiance. "

Councillor Chapman considered it would be' too late,if "it were :left over till next year.' v ' ' ' •

, Councillor Mj F.liucKie thought that if it was decided to give: the'ambulance a'subsidy now, it would be the same thing to give an'increased subsidy next' year to cover this year alsoj-- It was ridiculous "to suggest'paying a subsidy; at this stage of the year. ■ ■ ■'. - -

'. It was decided! to' delete- the clause, no other action being taken.