COST OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1931, Page 8

COST OF SOCIAL SERVICES

GOVE RNMENT PA YMEXTS

W.E.A. DEPUTATION AND MINTSTeER.

WELLINGTON, Oct. 27

“One third of the country's total revenue is spent on social services,” stated the Minister of Education (the Hon. R. Masters), when approached by the Worker's Educational Association for financial aid. The depuation comprised Mr George Manning (Christchurch), Mr V. M. Richmond, and Mi' Bernard Martin ‘(Auckland), Dr Sutherland and Mrs E. Maslen (Wellington).

It was -stated that half the association’s income came from Government grants, and the other half from class

fees and local body grants There was a constant demand for extension, particularly into - the country, but it- was impossible to comply. This years work was planned on the assumption that Government aid would be renewed, less perhaps, the 10 per cent cut, but the statutory -subsidy was in arrears and the deputation understood that certain contributions would not in future obtain the Government subsidy.

Mr Manning stated that the liabilities actuahy incurred could not be met and the organisation found it difficult to plan- next years programme. The deputation hoped to get an assurance that Government assistance would be maintained. It would be something of a'tragedy if an organisation largely developed on voluntary effort was allowed to crumble away. The position was so serious in Auckland that unit's.-' the finances were maintained it would be necessary to cease operations in the Waikato, where a special tutor was employed. development of moveme-t

Mr .Manning traced the development of the movment stating that although it had doubled since 1924, the Governments grants and subsidies continued at £5700. The association wa-s collecting £2OOO annually from the public, but was now sulfering a decline in that source of income. Til 1921 there vere 87 classes, and 3439 students. To-day there were 222 classes and 7355 students. The Carnegie corporation was making an emergency grant of 10,000 dollars to assist the organisation with Government aid to balance its budget. The association had received only onequarter of the, current year’s Government grants. Therefore, it had been unable to pay its tutors. The Minister- replied that he recognised th good work of the association. The Government found itself in the same position as -local bodies and private individuals who had to curtail. So far as the- commitments were concerned he ■ [Would promptly investigate the cause of-the delay in the payments of the money due. The association, directly and indirectly, obtained £6,190 annually from the Government. Main ■social services were begun in prosperous times and they had grown until even if times were prosperous the expenditure failed for consideration. The Minister gave figures in support of Irs -statement, declaring that one-third of the Government’s revenue receipts were expended on social services. When revenue was so seriously decreasing and the Government was endeavouring to avoid 'a deficit of £8,000,000 the future amounts payable to the Workers Educational Association must depend on what the f Minister of Finance could make available. Mr Masters added fhat he noticed the expenditure was 15s per student, but the latter’s contributions were 2s 6d per head. He suggested a greater application of self help, and was assured that most students paid ss.