UNEMPLOYMENT. AFFORESTATION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20308, 6 August 1931, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT.

AFFORESTATION.

the new board. MR P. R. CLIMIE'S appointment. PROGRESS LEAGUE'S CONGRATULATIONS. in-? n c bCha -f ° f tbe lriuancc and Standgrtss LeT °* th# Canter W Progress League, at the meeting of the c. riaven Submitted a report on the apoin merit of the League's organiser, Mr * , Chn »e, as a member of the Unemployment Board. thifxr-! n incor P° rate <} a letter from h V Mi ;f" for Labo " Ctho Hob. S. G - ' Sm,th > which set out:—

° f th u activo and Poetical connexioji "ti, y ° Ur Lea B ue shnii i with unemployment. I '» e»di£ m „?11 b„ good ~v» me know whether vour seS;; 7Mr ld p b °R g cr ab^ td i? hVT, - 4 meiX i* ° Ut you that oncmplovneut IS a natlonal prob]om) and 1 that is not a Party question, and I v wPii erC that your executive ' consider the release of your geere ary from this aspect. I recognise and appreciate the fact that no little inconvenience might be .caused your League in the event of Mr Climie being appointed to the Board, but I desire to say that the whole of his time would not be occupied on Board matters, and that even for tho first month or two arrangements could be made for him to spend each Satur- £ r ' , Su ? day ' and Mo n<lay in Christenurch. Later on it is anticipated that it not bo necessary for him to visit Wellington more frequently than perhaps twice or three times a month.

replying to tfio Minister's letter ™ 8 League wrote that "the members of the Finance Committee realised that in a work of such national importance it was the duty of the League to give tho Government every assistance in its power. It was agreed that the request bo complied with in the terms of your letter with the reservation that, as Mr Climie is carrying oil the League's work singlo-handcd, the position should be reviewed if it were found that the apentailed a greater sacrifice than was indicated at the present timci It is understood, of course, that the Government will havo no objection to Mr Climio attending tho monthly' mcctinga of the League s executive." Tho committee felt, the report set out, that the invitation to the organiser was a very great honour, and it was also of the opinion that in view of tho close interest that Mr Climie has taken in tho subject during the past year or so, and the experience ho has gained, ho ■would be able in his new position to render valuable service to the country. Wheii tho Minister's letter had been read Mr, £limie said that he wanted it to be understood that he had not sought the appointment," that the invitation had come to him without warning, and that if tho League decided that it should be accepted, he thought his remuneration could properly be reduced by tho amount ho would receive as a member of tire Board.

Congratulatory J&eniarksl The chairman (Mr James Carr) congratulated Mr Climie ou his appointment, and Baid that -when he received the Minister's letter his first thought was what was going to happen to the League, but afterwards he recognised that the offer was a great, compliment to the Leaguo. Ho felt sure that Mr Climie would prove to be the right man in the right place. Ho road typical lotters recoived from local bodies. Mr G. Kelly, Cojinty Clerk, in conveying tho congratulations of the Ashburton County Council, wrote: "Your appointment will meet with tho hearty approval of all local bodies in Canterbury; and •will engender confldcnco in the now Board." The Town Clerk of Sumner (Mr J. P. Menzies) wrote that tho Mayor (Mr W. H. Nicholson) was of tho opinion that Canterbury could not havo been better represented and was convinced that Mr Climlc's well-known and appreciated organising abilities would prove of great value in the very spriouß work Mr Menzies added his own congratulations, and wrote that ho felt that Mr vjjimio's aimointment was most fitting, and that hia work for tho Dominion would bo as outstanding as had .been his efforts on behalf of Canterbury; Mr J. Mackenzie said that the Ellesmero Land Drainage Board had agreed unanimously to a motion congratulating Mr Climie.

Messrs 33. H. Wyles, on behalf tho Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, and F. W. Johnston, on behalf of Canterbury Automobile Association, added their congratulations. Tho cmiinittec's report was adopted. RELIEF OF DISTRESS. PROPOSED BIG ART UNION. From tho Mayor of Dnnedin (Mr R. S. Black) a letter has been received by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) suggesting the promotion of a big art union for the relief of distress in the four centres. The Mayor of Dunedin wrote as follows: — , , , "I have been approached by some people who suggest that an art unl .°s for relief of distress should be applied for to the Minister for Internal Affairs, and that the Mayors of the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and'Dunedin t should be the trustees. The advertising I^P le Dunedin have guaranteed to nnd tn® gold for the prizes, bo there will be no expense on our paft. I take it, o course, that the gold will be returned when the prizes are given out. "The suggestion is that the tour cities share equally in the proceeds o the art union. As you know, quite a number of art unions have been run for the benefit of sports, and you will agree with me that the relief °* tress is a much mora worthy object, and should receive the liberal support of the whole of New Zealand. Ano matter of expense of running it (advertising, etc.) will he kept reasonable bounds, and I feel sure tho people will give readily, espcciall when there is a chance of gaining a liberal prize." „ Referring to tho proposal Mr bum van said yesterday that at the m°men he did not feel very favourably disposed towards the idea, became - fareo section of the opposed to the running of art, unions. He was therefore not prepared to com mit himself to a. definite, reply regarding tho matter until he had given it further consideration./:.

SUITABILITY FOR RELIEF WORK. REPORT TO PROGRESS LEAGUE. The possibilities of afforestation as a means of relieving unemployment were dealt with in a report from the Afforestation Sub-committee of the Canterbury Progress League's Unemployment Research Committee, which was submitted to the executive of uio League at its meeting last night. Thy report advocated afforestation Tor unemployment relief. It provided work that was definitely productive, and would cost littlo in time, trouble and money to organise. Tho organisation necessary toi a considerable extension of afforestation already existed in the State Forest Service. An abundance of land, touch of it Crown land, was available. At the rate of 100,000 acres per annum it was estimated that employment Would be provided for 7000 men for four months in the year. What was required was co-ordination' of activity between the Stato Forest Service and tho Unemployment Board. Immediate organisation 'and action were required if extended affoi-estation was to be done on any considerable" scale, Young plants for planting must be prepared, as the New Zealand supply for the present year was practically exhausted. If young plants were to bo available next year tho seeds must bo sown immediately.

The Report Discussed. The chairman (Mr James Carr) said that one point overlooked was tho question of fencing. Land adapted for aJforestation usually was infested with rabbits, and unless they could bo kept out, also stock, the young trees suffered. Mr W. J. Boyce said that another aspect was the planting of willows in riverbeds as a means of Hood protection. The organiser (Mr P. R. Climie) said that that nyfitter had been considered. Tie emphasised that tho report was an indication of tho Leaguo's .desire to assist tho Unemployment Board. Mr G. M. Hall said that tho_ report was a most valuable contribution • towards assisting in the solution of tho serious problem of unemployment. On his mciion it was decided to thank Professor Tocker for preparing the report, and to ask Mr Climie to take the first opportunity to present the report to the Unemployment Board, with a recommendation from the executive tliat the Board should endeavour to enrrv out the ideas in the report to a successful issue. The report was adopted. . TAXATION OF FARMERS. BASIS NOT YET ADOPTED. [l'noM Oca Paju.iamen'taßv Reporter.' WELLINGTON, August 5. There has been, much uncertainty as to tho basis to be adopted upon which the income of farmers, large, and small, ! will be taxed under tho Unemployment Act, and replies to points brought under tho notice of. the Minister for -Labour have not clarified the position. Although the Minister lias announced that tho charge oil farmers' incomes wilt not bo computed on gross income, a rtffis'rencft to the taxing legislation ,-tfotild Ip«i4 to the belief that income from land ran not mean anything, but gross, receipts, and n .fear. has boon expressed that the collection of 3d in the £ on milk and wool cheques would bo a staggering blow to farmers. In replying to the points raised, the Hon. P. G. Smith said this evening that tho precise basis on which the chargo on farmers' incomes will he computed has not yet been decided, hut it is not intended, that it should bo computed on gross income l . He indicated that regulations in this behalf wrll bo gazetted in the near future; Tho Minister was ako asked whether the Commissioner of Taxes would issue demand notices in connexion with the unemployment taxes in respect of tho tax on income in 1930-31, and how this tax Would bo assessed in respect of income in 1931-32, einco the returns of income We to not usually required until Juno ■ Tn reply to this the Minister said that the Commissioner of Taxes would not issue demands for the emergency unemployment charge on income other than salaries and wages. Tho charge would be payable on a, declaration to bo made to an authorised officer of tho Post and Telegraph Department or to tho Commissioner of Taxes by the person liable for payment, This applied to income derived during tho year ended March 31st,, 11)31, and that ending March 31st' 1932. ' ■ '

MEETING AT TIMARU. NO AFFILIATION WITH THE DOMINION UNION. (fRBSS ASSOCIATION TBCEOftAIC.) TIMAKU, August 5. A largely attended meeting of tho unemployed to-night considered tho question of affiliating with the recently formed Dominion Unemployment Union, and decided by fifty votes to fifteen not to have anything to do with it. During the discussion, the chairman stated that lie iiad been advised by Mr W. Nash, Parliamentary Secretary of tho Labour Party, to have nothing to do with tho new organisation. Several speakers stated that the recent demonstrations in Wellington and Christchurch by organised Communists were part of a world-wide campaign arranged for August Ist.