Community Grants (Press, 25 May 1988)

In a letter published on 25 May 1988, E. Bedo expressed strong opposition to government funding through the Community Organisations Grants Scheme (C.O.G.S.), referring to comments made by Mr Alistair Graham regarding potential cuts to such funding. Bedo argued that Graham's assertions about disadvantaged groups, including Maoris, Pacific Islanders, women, and the disabled, were unfounded. Bedo claimed that Maoris have numerous advantages, citing 252 statutory benefits that he believed exceeded those available to non-Maoris. He noted that Pacific Islanders migrate to New Zealand to take advantage of better employment and education opportunities compared to their home islands. In regard to women, Bedo pointed out that discrimination against them is prohibited by law, thereby contesting claims of their disadvantage. Furthermore, he argued that the disabled benefit from what he considered to be one of the most generous accident compensation systems in the world. The letter concluded with a critique of how C.O.G.S. funds were being allocated, suggesting that much of the money was going to organisations supporting gay rights and lesbian activism. Bedo called for an end to what he termed the "squandering" of public funds, implying that the grants were misdirected and should no longer be supported by taxpayer money.

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