ART UNION MONEYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21469, 18 April 1933, Page 11

ART UNION MONEYS

QUESTION OF A TAX FUNDS FOR RELIEF PURPOSES CONFERENCE'S ENDORSEMENT r The principle of taxing art union profits for the purpose of raising money for the relief of distress was endorsed by a conference of relief organisations in Wellington last week. Mr. G. Harper (Christclinrch) moved a motion affirming that the proceeds from six consecutive art unions should bo used for the alleviation of distress. He said that there were not suflicient funds at present, and it was only fair that the relief organisations should have first call on art unions. Mr. F. 11. Wilkinson (Wellington) said that he was entirely opposed to the proposal. It was a short-sighted policy which fostered an undesirable spirit in the community. People were buying art union tickets when they should be buying bread. Mr. 10. G. Martin (Foxton) said that opponents of art unions should show an alternative method of raising the money. Mr. A. E. Mansford, Mayor of Palmerston. North, said that a great deal of money was going out of the country for lotteries, and it was desirable that the money should bo retained in the Dominion. Mr. W. T. Strand, Mayor of Lower Hutt, said that art unions provided only a precarious method of raising money during a time of crisis. The source of funds should bo as certain as taxation. Mr. I). G. Sullivan, M.P., Mayor of Christclinrch, said that when the question of art unions was raised previously ho had suggested in order to get over the opposition that a tax of 50 per cent be imposed on all art union profits. The opponents could not object to art unions being taxed. Mr. Harper said that it had been proposed in some quarters that the tax should be 95 per cent. Mr. H, G. Dickie, M.P., said that the relief organisations had to rely on voluntary contributions, which were by no means reliable. The motion was lost by 11 votes to 10, but an amendment by Mr. Sullivan affirming the view that a substantial tax be imposed on art union profits for the purpose of providing money for relief purposes was carried without debate.