A NOVEL ART UNION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3518, 31 July 1926, Page 1

A NOVEL ART UNION.

A farmer of the North Island, owning 1000 acres of land, writes as follows to the Auckland Star: — “I wrote the Minister of Internal Affairs, suggesting he use my land in an art union, and suggested that the proceeds beyond assessed value he spent by the Main Highways Board in making a good road for motorists. The reason I made this offer was because myself and wife had to stay all night in our car on a frosty night just because there were two miles of the main highway impassable by night. This offer would have found many of our unemployed work, also assured a vehicle that is taxed a square deal. The reply I received was that the Hon. Mr. Bollard would only sanction an art union for a work of art. Now, sir, I ask, would our unfortunate women and children who have father and husband out of work derive any benefit from this so-called work of art On the other hand, some hard pressed family might have the luck to draw in this art union the whole block of land, the nice homestead all ready stocked with cattle and sheep, and furnished home, and 1000 men found work. Sir, the work- of art suggestion seems ridiculous to me. It also appears to a large majority of people that our Government is afraid to tackle such problems open handed simply because a few votes (may) be lost, and while the Government are sleeping, thousands of pounds are being sent over to Tasmania.”