SECOND THOUGHTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1939, Page 5

SECOND THOUGHTS

COUNTY COUNCIL GRANT TO AERO CLUB

REFUSAL RECONSIDERED

DEFENCE ASPECT EMPHASISED

A qraiil CT C2."> i< Io be in:ulr I n I hi- \\'air:ti:i|)tl tilld lii m h :nc A< in i ( I tib bv I lie ,\l;tsi< rl Dll ('iHli)ly ( 'ruilli'il. Sc.me lieated reuiarks were [Hissed at yoslei'dav’s nieeliripwin'll ('oiiiieilbir W. I. Arm-

s( 1-0111.1'. wlm had ci ven notice, moved In rescind the resolution passed bv tlie council last itniiilb refiisiny to make a

..■ran! io the Aero Club

Councillor Armstrong said the Aero Club was governed by a commitlee of 14. who received no reward whatsoever fin- (he splendid work they were duing. Tlie club employed a staff of five men and had tinned out 10-1 pilots, win* were assets to the Dnininion s de--fi'iiee. Tie realised that it was. the duty nf a ei.imly council to spend the ratepayers' money in the best possible and most beneficial manner, but it was also the council's duty to protect the inter* csts of its ratepayers.

“England has been through a very rough time with a certain Power in the East," said Councillor Armstrong. “That Power knows much about New Zealand, and unless we are adequately provided for in regard to defence they would not have much trouble in taking this country. These pilots are being trained to defend their country when necessary and I am of the opinion that only a strong naval air force will be able to defend this country’s shores with any success. The Masterton County has always had a reputation for doing the right and proper thing under all circumstances, and I consider that the very least we can do is to make a denation of £10." Tlie chairman (Mr R. E. Gordon I.co): "I know more now than I did about the Aero Club. 1 realise that this club and in fact all private aero chibs, arc (raining men where if tlie Government had to do it. they would be forced to call in all the instructors in the Dominion. This would mean that the aero clubs in the Hawke’s Bay. Wairarapa and like districts would be forced to close down. We don’t want that to happe'n. The Wairarapa South County said that this club was Masterton’s club. That is incorrect; it is the Wairarapa club. I also understand that the Government spends between £2,000 and £3.000 per year on the Wairarapa Club." Councillor J. W. Colquhoun: “No one denies the good they do. Last month our reason for refusing the request was that there is a continual demand from clubs or other organisations for grants. Our job here is to administer the ratepayers’ money on the roads. We have turned down several other requests for donations. What holds good for one should hold good for the rest.” The chairman: “Not necessarily." Councillor Colquhoun: “Anyway it’s not worth opening the matter up for £lO. If the club is doing as well as we are led to believe, why does not the Government do more?” Councillor 11. H. Mawley; “Last month I voted against the grant. My reason then was that the ratepayers supported tyre club privately. If we give, the ratepayers are of the opinion that they do not need to. Now, however, I find that they do not necessary support the club.” Councillor Colquhoun: “I don’t like being committed to something annually."

Councillor Armstrong: “Would you like to see the -Government take the Aero Club over?”

Councilor Colquhoun: "The Government would not necessarily take the clubs over."

Councillor Armstrong: "We are a large local body and if we cannot do something to support the club then I don't know who will. I am quite prepared to drop the ‘annually’ portion and alter the amount to £25."

Councillor Mawley: "I am going to support the motion. My main reason is that the private person does not support the club." Councillor Colquhoun: "Of course we must remember that Councillor Welch has had to go early. He was present when we voted against making a donation, last meeting." A motion "that the previous motion be rescinded” was carried, as was a further motion that £25 be granted to the Aero Club. Councillor Colquhoun voted against both motions..