THE UNEMPLOYED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 156, 13 April 1933, Page 3

THE UNEMPLOYED

RELIEF WORKERS* NEEDS. (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 12. Several problems affecting the welfare of relief workers were discussed at a conference hold to-day at the request of the New Zealand Smith Joyspreaders (Incorporated). The Mayor (Mr T. C A. Hislop) presided, and there wore present representatives of local bodies and relief organisations from various centres. On the motion of the Smith Family, a resolution was passed expressing to the Governor - General heartfelt appreciation of his Excellency's action in instituting a national relief fund. A motion to set. up a national relief council was discussed, and lost. A .remit was carried stating that it was desirable that societies for the relief of distress should become incorporated. The conference endorsed the principle of taxing art union profits for raising money for the relief of distress. There was considerable opposition. The Mayor of Lower Hut* said that art unions provided only a precarious method of raising money, and that the source, of funds should be as certain as taxation. A reply was made to this that the relief" organisations had to rely on voluntary contributions, which were by no means reliable. The original motion that the proceeds from six consecutive art unions he used for the alleviation of distress was lost, but an amendment that a substantial tax be imposed on art union profits was carried without debate.