UNEMPLOYMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 April 1933, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT

WELLINGTON CONFERENCE. [PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, April 12. Several problems affecting the welfare of relief workers were discussed at a conference held 10-day at the re-quest-of the “New Zetland Smith Joyspreaders’ Incorporat on.” The Mayor presided, and there were present representatives of local bodies and relief organisations in the 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 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 relief of distress. There was considerable opposition. The Mayor of Lower Hutt stressed that art unions provided only a precarious method of raising money, and said that the source of funds should be as certain as taxation. A reply was made to this that organisations had to rely on voluntary contributions, which were by no means reliable. The original motion that the proceeds from six consecutive art unions be used for the alleviation of distress was lost by a vote, but an amendment that a substantial tax be imposed on art union profits was carried without debate.

RELIEF FUNDS STOLEN. DUNEDIN, April 13. Kingsley ' Alexander Blackwood Howie, for theft of relief depot funds, was sentenced to two months in gaol.