RELIEF OF DISTRESS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 104, 13 April 1933, Page 5

RELIEF OF DISTRESS

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. REMITS DISCUSSED. By Telegraph—Brees Association. WELLINGTON, April 13. Convened by the Smith Family of Wellington, a conference of representatives of organisations administering the relief of distress in New Zealand was held in the City Council Chamber yesterday. The object of the conference was to bring about a closer relationship and co-operation among relief organisations throughout the country, and by an interchange of ideas, to introduce a greater degree of efficiency in this important phase of community service. The Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) presided. In opening the conference the Mayor made it clear that the initiative had been taken by the Smith Family. When a representative of that bodyhad approached him on the matter a little while ago, he said, he had replied that personally he did not see the necessity for such a conference, as Wellington was carrying on quite satisfactorily’. On going into the matter, however, he thought some ideas might come out of it. From the agenda paper he gathered that a number of remits were to be considered. The Smith Family “ Joy’spreaders” moved: “That this conference express to His Excellency the GovernorGeneral its heartfelt appreeiatiou of His Excellency’s action in instituting a National Relief Fund, and of His Excellency’s practical sympathy with all efforts for the alleviation of distress.” —This was unanimously agreed to. REMITS CONSIDERED. Mr. Geo. Harper (Christchurch) moved: “That it is desirable that societies should become incorporated (if not already so) under the Incorporated Societies Act in each city or other appropriate centres of operation, for tho relief of distress.” Mr. E. Mulvanah (Hawke’s Bay) supported the remit on the grounds that all publicly subscribed funds should be protected. Experience in his district, where losses had occurred, made such a step necessary. Mr. D. G. Sullivan said the remit did not make the proposal mandatory —it only said it was desirable. The remit was passed Mr. Harper moved: “As an alternative to the granting of subsidies, six consecutive art unions be permitted to be held, during the winter months, in each city or other centres in operation, for the purposes of the relief of distress, the net proceeds to be apportioned among those areas, according to the proved needs of each area, and to bo handed over to the societies for those purposes.” As the sustenance of the people was of the utmost importance, said Mr. W. Scarff, he thought that every art union should bo for the benefit of relief funds. The Rev. F. H. Wilkinson opposed the motion. People were buying art unions who ought to be buying bread, he said. It was like going to a bowser petrol pump to put out a fire. Mr. A. E. Mansford said he tnay not agree with the principle of raising money for relief out of art unions, yet they were raced with the fact that large sums of money were leaving the country. While he did not oppose art unions, Mr. W. T. Strand (Hutt) said he felt that this source of raising money was too precarious, and that such moneys as were necessary for relief should be as sure as those raised by taxation. Mr. Dickie (Hawera) said Mr. Strand wanted more assured finance, but they had no assured finance —it was all voluntary. The remit was lost by 11 votes to 10. It was decided on tho voices, on the motion of Mr. D. G. Sullivan, that it be a recommendation to the Government that all art unions be substantially taxed for the purpose of relieving distress. Mr. E. G. Martin (Foxton) moved “That arrangements be made whereby a large amount of produce grown in the country districts shall he made available fur tho unemployed in the cities. ’ ’ —Carried. Mr. W. Scarff mentioned that people in Wellington should approach the Government to remit the sales tax on goods bought by relief organisations. Finally the conference decided that Messrs. T, C. A. Hislop, D. G. Sullivan, ■ M.P., P. Fraser, M.P., W. T. Strand, and P. Brandon be a deputation to i bring the remits passed before the Government.