LABOUR SPLIT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1933, Page 5

LABOUR SPLIT

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL

FINANCE PROPOSAL DISPUTE.

I Per Press Association — Copyri<jht.}

CHRISTCHURCH, July 13

A schism in the ranks of the Labour members o/ the Christchurch City Council is threatened as the result of a proposal, made by the Finance Committee, to transfer £15,000 of the profits of the Municipal electricity department to the general account. This proposal is being made by the finance committee with the object of avoiding any increase in the general rate for the current year. It is understood that the expenditure provided for in the estimates is about £13,000 in excess of the amount that would be produced by a general rate similar to that of last year, and that the object of transferring the £15,000 from tlic electricity department to the general account is to allow a sum of £2OOO for contingencies. All the members of the electricity committee are said to be opposed to this raid on their department’s funds and the committee consists of both Labour members and members ot the citizens’ Association’s Party. Among other members of the Council. opinion is also believed to be divided, but their are some members of both narties who believe that flu's appropriation of £15,000 is the only wav out of the Council’s financial difficulties.