ART UNION PROCEEDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21473, 22 April 1933, Page 12

ART UNION PROCEEDS

USE FOB HEALTH CAMPS REJECTION IN AUCKLAND "A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE" Following a report that it was intended to provide a maximum sum of £SOO from the proceeds of the Great Easter Art Union to the Auckland Community Sunshine Association, the executive of the organisation has decided against accepting any funds raisod by means of art unions. An official of the association stated yesterday that the decision had been made purely as a matter of principle. There was no hostility to the purpose of the Government, which was undoubtedly intended in the best spirit. The association was asked by the Government whether it would care to participate :in any proceeds from the art union. A telegram was then forwarded to the Government asking if the matter could bo deferred until a meeting of the executive. Before the date of the executive meeting, the Minister made the announcement through the newspapers that a sum would be made available. Since then, no official notification had been received. "The executive naturally considered the position very seriously," the official continued. "We have no money to carry on our health camps at Motuihi Island, but we felt that the children of Auckland, and New Zealand for that matter, were worthy of direct giving. We felt that the children were being penalised by the holding of art unions. Our opinion is that the people supporting art unions are the poorer people. In the hope of securing a substantial prize, they purchase these 2s 6d tickets, and their children are the sufferers.

"As a consequence, the executive decided not to accept money from an art union, on principle. The whole position is like having an ambulance at the foot of the cliff, instead of a fence at the top. We do not want to give an approval of art unions. The work we do is worthy of direct support."

It was stated that the association had carried on camps at Motuihi continuously for 28 months, the average number of children at the island being 90 a month. The cost was about 5s fid a week for each child, and the work had the co-operation of the Health Department and the Auckland Education Board. Owing to shortage of funds, tho camps would conclude on May 6, but they would be resumed as soon as sufficient funds accumulated.