DONATIONS REFUSED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1939, Page 4

DONATIONS REFUSED

REQUESTS FROM SOCIETIES & AERO CLUB attitude of masterion COUNTY COUNCIL. MATTERS OUTSIDE SCOPE OF LOCAL BODIES. Very definite ideas were expressed by members of the Masterton County Council, at yesterday’s meeting, regarding local bodies making donations to organisations outside of their scope. Three organisaions made requests for donations and all were refused. The New Zealand Crippled Children Society (Wairarapa branch) wrote acknowledging receipt of the council's letter in which it intimated that the council was unable to make a contribution towards the funds of the society. The society regretted that the council could not contribute, but said, it was pleased to note that councillors would assist as individuals. A supply of enrolment cards was enclosed. The Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club made application for a grant towards the funds of the Club for the ensuing twelve months. The letter stressed the importance of the club’s activities in providing the sole training centre in the Wairarapa for the training of pilots, not only as Civil Reserve pilots, but as club members. Councillor J. W. Colquhoun “Calls are being made every year on local bodies for donations towards this and that. It is, in my opinion the duty of a county council to administer its money on the roads—not to hand out donations.” Councillor P. R. Welch: “Many ratepayers will be hard put to it to pay their rates this year—in fact some won’t be able to pay them. And as a local body member I am against making this donation.” The chairman (Mr R. E. Gordon Lee): “We have to look at questions of this nature from .a national point of view. If we can assist in some small way we should. Of course, I realise that we cannot give too much away.” Councillor Colquhoun “A lot of other local bodies have turned this down. If it is of such national importance the Government should do more.” He moved, and Councillor Welch seconded that, “this year the county could' not see its way clear to make a donation.” The motion was carried.

The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand applied for a donation. “The Aero club is more important than this, and I move that no action be taken in the matter of a donation,” said the chairman. An amendment that £1 be granted was lost. “Sir Truby King was an outstanding man and he gave his life’s work for this society,” said Councillor Moore, when the Plunket Society’s appeal for a donation towards providing a memorial for him was before the council. Councillor Moore contended that this was something that would not be annual and he thought the county would be justified in making a donation.

Councillor Welch: “We can’t treat one different from the other.” No donation was made.