Debate Over E.P.S. Finance At Stratford

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1942, Page 6

Debate Over E.P.S. Finance At Stratford

| Question of control by local j bodies. Classification of the financial standing and procedure of the Stratford district E.P.S. committee was sought by the chief controller, Mr. N. H. Moss, at a committee meeting on Wednesday night. A long debate ensued, the question centring on whether the borough and/or county councils, which had, with the Government subsidy of £2 for £1, made available £1000 for E.P.S. cxpenses, should control the expenditure by approving accounts before being passed for P Mr. Moss maintained that the E.P .S. must have control of the money for effiicient working. The county and borough delegates were at variance over the attitude of their councils. After Mr. Moss was formally reappointed chief controller, following upon the reconstitution of the committee under the new regulations, he made a statement in reply to certain questions and remarks made at a former borough council meeting. When the appointment of a finance committee was under consideration Mr. Moss raised the question of its powers and functions, and this gave rise to a long controversy. Finaliy a committee was appointed, and it was understood, from the attitude of the local body members, that the committee had power to expend up to the £1000 granted.

Controller's Allowance. Speaking on the reconstitution of the committee and the allowance granted to the chief controller of £468 a year, plus £26 rent and £7 for a telephone. Mr. Moss said: "It sounds as if I am getting £500 to run the E.P.S., and that is one of the rumours going round the town that I have had to swallow. I wish it were true, but it is not." At present £312 a year went in salaries to the secretary and the typist. When the reconstitution came before the controllers he said he would continue as chief controller if desired, but he would require some recompense for his business time used. He told the local bodies that he was not keen to take the position, and if they could get someone else to do the work in an honorary capacity, he would be very pleased to step out of it. For 10s a week for rent the E.P.S. had the use of a well-appointed office, furnished and with heating, such facilities that would cost 30s a week elsewhere. "I wish to say this to the controllers," Mr. Moss continued. "To my amazement, during the reconstitution negotiations, I had to put up with a peculiar attitude by certain people. Personally, I would not have put up with it for a moment, but I did so for the sake of the controllers who had worked with me for the past two years. This has haprned outside the organisation. Since have been chief controller I have nol had the slightest difference with any one of the controllers. "At the Stratford Borough Council meeting I consider I was subjected to the utmost humiliations and indignities," Mr. Moss continued. The chairman, Mr. J. C- Best. asked if the statement should be continued in open meeting. Mr. Moss: The report was in the Press and I haven't had a chance to answer it. I would meet the controllers privately if they wish. Mr. Best: Would publicity do any good? Mr. Moss: It would do no harm. Why shouldn't I repeat to the controllers the questions asked me by the Stratford Borough Council? Mr. Best: Would it do any good? Mr. Moss: The controllers should know the attitude of the Stratford Borough Council. Mr. Best said he would allow Mr. Moss to carry on, provided he did not go into too much detail. Disposition of Property. Questions asked him, Mr. Moss continued, were where were the medical supplies purchased, was a monthly inventory made, and what happened to them after the war. His reply was that they were in charge of the medical committee, that he saw no need for a monthly inventory, and that after the war they would probably be retained for possible future emergency. Another question was whether the £15 typewriter would remain in his office after the war. "Whether it was suggested I would keep the typewriter or not, l don't know," said Mr. Moss. He was also asked who had charge of the benzine lamps and the six dozen whistles purchased. He was not personally in charge of any property and all material issued, down to a warden s whistle and record hook, had to be signed for on issue. "Because of the attitude towards me at the council meeting I think the committees are entitled to that explanation, Mr. Moss concluded. "Although I am chairman of the central committee I expect to have my chief guidance from Mr. Moss. I have an assurance from him that he will give me all the help he can," said Mr. Best. Finance Committee. When the appointment of the finance committee was discussed Mr. R. F. Harkness said it had been his duty, as a member of the borough council's finance committee for the past 20 years, to examine all accounts. "If I hadn't ques- ' tioned these accounts I would not be | doing my job," he said in reference to j Mr- Moss' earlier remarks. ! Concerning the expenditure of the I £1000 subsidy Mr. Harkness said he would continue to scrutinise and, if ; necessary, question any accounts. He would hold up any item of proposed ex- ! penditure if he thought it excessive. ! "I would not continue as chief controller for one moment under those conditions," said Mr. Moss. "The councils are entitled to check any expenditure, but not to hold it up. This committee could not function under such conditions." After reading the Government regulations governing finance Mr. Moss said the E.P.S. should be empowered to spend | up to the local bodies' subsidy and, if j more money was required, then the finance committee would have to approach ! the local bodies. i Mr. Best: While you are spending the i money granted you, we won't worry. ' If you want more, then we'll want to know what it's for. Mr. Moss: Is it understood that, as long as we are within the £1000. the expenditure is the domestic aflair of this finance committee? "The borough council did not think that was the idea," said Mr. H- S. Sinclair. "1 thought every account would be scrutinised. We have on the council several members who do want to know how the money is going to be spent. That is not my opinion but that of those who sent me here." "There is an obvious answer to that I if Mr. Sinclair is expressing the opinion i of the council," said Mr. Moss. "Either the local bodies have confidence in this committee to expend £300 of their money or, if they haven't, we can extend an invitation to the local bodies to come along and form their own E.P.S." Efficiency Desired. "This committee has been authorised to spend up to a certain amount of which due account will be given," said Mr. E. S. Rea. "Over that. we are personally liable unless the extra expenditure is approved by the local bodies-" "I am looking at the efficient functioning of the organisation," said Mr. Moss. "We have an enormous responsibility in an emergency, and that responsibility is not on the shoulders of the local body members but on us. If we are going to handle a wartime organisation run on peace-time local body procedure, then we can't function properly. I want a ruling on the position." Mr. Best: My ruling is tnat the locai bodies don't want to question the amount up to £300 but want to see the accounts. Mr. A. R. Masters said the procedure should be for the E.P.S. to procure what was required and to pay for it afterwards, giving an instance of what the supply unit had done in that direction. Mr. Best: I don't think that would be questioned. Mr. Masters: It is not a question of

thinking or not thinking; but what is the position. , i1 After Mr. Moss had related the procedure at New Plymouth Mr. Masters said the local body members present were not unanirqous on the position. The county delegates said the E.P.b. could spend up to £1000 and yet the borough ones said no. Mr. Harkness, to Mr. Best: I am in accord with what you said. Mr. Best: That we spend up to £10UU without question? Mr. Harkness: Yes. Mr. Sinclair: No! The lmpression I got from the borough council was that it was the duty of the finance committee here to scrutinise all accounts as they come upMr. Harkness: This is not gomg to silence any member of the borough or county council. After further discussion a finance committee consisting of the two borough and the two county members and Mr, Moss was set up, Messrs. Rea and W. R. Evans dissenting. Later in the evening Mr. Harkness raised a laugh when, in moving the authorisation of an item of expenditure, he remarked: "Apparently I'm committing the borough to this expenditure. 1 take it that's what I'm here for."