“WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?”

Evening Star, Issue 22453, 25 September 1936, Page 6

“WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?”

ACTIVITIES OF EXPANSION LEAGUE HARBOUR MEMBER OPPOSES DONATION “ Tell us what they have done ” was Mr David Copland’s repeated invitation to members of the Otago Harbour Board last night, when be strongly opposed a recommendation that a donation of £SO should be mad© to the funds of the Otago Expansion League. A minute before the board had made a donation of £SO to the South Island Travel Association without a word of objection from Mr Copland or any other member. Mi- Copland said he would like to know the justification for the Expansion League getting £SO from the board. He saw very little through the Press about the work this body did for the good of the community. “ In earlier years donations of £IOO were mad© to the league on several occasions,” said Mr J. B. Waters (chairman), “ Nothing has been contributed for some time, and the Standing Committee decided to recommend the donation in view of what the league has done in providing tourist facilities and in other respects,’.’ “ What amazes me is that a body like this should get £SO when there was strong opposition to a proposal that we should give £lO towards the expense of sending the Otago eight-oar rowing crew to Wanganui,” commented Mr Copland. Mv T. Scollay said it should be made clear that the league rendered a valuable service of a public kind. The Chairman: Yes. We must remember that in the past the league has given a community service. “In the past!” interjected Mr W. Begg. Mr F. E. Tyson explained that the donation had been recommended in view of the decision to grant £SO to the South Island Travel Association. He was certain that the league would contribute more to the advancement of the province than would the Travel Association. Mr Copland : In spite of all these short explanations, I am still of the opinion that there is nothing to warrant this board giving £SO of money to the league. Tell me something that it has done. Mr Scollay: The Haast Pass road. “ Oh 1 No! ” corrected Mr Begg. Mr Copland: Nothing of the kind. If members spoke their minds about this body they would not give it £SO. Tell us what they have done. Mr D. F. H. Sharpe said 1m had found, in the course of his business, that the league was a very live body, and looked after the interests of the public. The Work was of an honorary nature, and could be carried on only if the finances were provided. From Ins experience the league did much good, “ Who appoints them? ” asked' Mr Copland ; but there was no answer. The committe’s recommendation was adopted.