The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Thursday, March 2, 1967 — The Mayor of Bulawayo, Clr Abe Menashe, last night used his casting vote to defeat a proposal by Clr JG Pain that City councillors be paid an allowance of £20 a month to meet expenses.

Eight councillors were for the proposal, and eight against. The Mayor said that in view of the history of the matter he would exercise his casting vote. Members against were the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, Clr WR Kinleyside, Alderman SH Millar, JS McNellie and Mrs ME Barham and Councillors EO Munn, TH Doyle and Mrs J Sharland (who voted against the amount to be given).

In favour were Councillors A Dold, JM Logan, H Coronel, S Jossel, L Sexon, C Wood, J Goldwasser and JG Pain. Clr Kinleyside said councillors tried to do what they could for their city without thought of financial gain, no matter what it cost them personally.

Ald Mrs Barham said: “Surely there are people in this city who are public-spirited enough to give their time in serving as councillors. The granting of an allowance will not add to the prestige of councillors. Clr Jossel agreed with the proposal, noting that the money sought was not salary, but allowances and expenses. The income tax people had accepted that the allowance was an expense and he thought conditions warranted the money.

“There are quite a few of us who can afford the expense, but others have to pay out of their pockets. Why should the expenses debar certain people from becoming councillors?” he asked.

“A lot of outside meetings are attended by councillors a loss of time and expense. Members of Parliament are paid all travel expenses. They would not do it for nothing.

“We must think of others. Those who do not wish to accept the allowance will always find a charitable organisation willing to take the money.”

“Clr Mrs Sharland said councillors received many calls from charities as well as s having expenses on council business. She disagreed with the amount of allowance suggested.