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The Nelson Photo News

 

14

The Role of the Local Bodies

It seems apparent, from the niggardly contributions made by the local bodies throughout the district, that they either do not fully understand what the organisation is trying to do for the district as a whole, or they feel that such an organisation, if it was to fold, would be no great loss. Any councillor or local body representative who holds this latter point of view is a long way off course in this modern age.

The role of local bodies, as we see them, is to administer and put to best use the money they collect in rates or revenue. They must look to the future expansion of their particular province. They must realise that to make $1 they may, sometimes, have to spend 60c. Our local bodies seem reluctant to spend even 20c, but they would be very happy to obtain the profits. But you can't expect much profit from such a low budget. You can't accumulate unless you speculate.

Let's look at our local body contributions to the office. Last year the organisation received $2140 from this source (Nelson city, $1500; Motueka borough, $100; Richmond borough, $50; Waimea county, $150; Golden Bay county, $40; Nelson Harbour Board, $250; Waimea Power Board, $50). And let's now make a comparison with Marlborough's latest figures: old figure, $1975; new figure, $5000. The Blenheim borough now contributes $1750 (old figure, $800); Marlborough Harbour Board, $1250 ($250); Marlborough Power Board $1000 ($550); Marlborough County, $200 ($100); Awatere County, $50 ($25); Kaikoura county, $100 ($50) and Picton borough, $650 ($200). Makes our figures look a bit sick, don't you think?

If our public Relations Office is to develop (or even to remain open), then our local bodies are going to have to increase their contributions by very substantial amounts. One body which certainly should do so is the Waimea Power Board, a revenue-earning organisation which has everything to gain in the promotion of this district in both the tourist and industrial fields. Its present grant of $50 is only a token. The Nelson Pine Forest Company's chip mill at Richmond uses up $50 worth of power in 30 minutes. We would imagine the power board would be very happy to see more industry here. And tourism? Every tourist who comes to the Nelson district uses power. As an example, the owner of one group of motels paid $2594 in the last financial year to the power board. Another example: The Tahunanui Motor Camp last year paid $5000 to the board for power. More tourists, more power, more revenue for the board. So what about more money for the P.R.O.?