Dr Michael Goldsmith of the Anthropology Department of the University of the Waikato said at the Universal Basic Income Conference in Wellington on the weekend that "The provision of a basic income to all citizens, as of right, (UBI) offers a way of providing real freedom and support both to beneficiaries and those with jobs. Targeting regimes are inherently opposed to the common good." Dr Goldsmith said, "Out of the mess they make, the UBI alternative can only increase its appeal as the logical, sane and humane solution to the problems of the new millennium."

"The welfare reforms that have been going on over the last several years, and which are set to continue under the proposed code of social responsibility, are having the opposite effect of the rest of the reforms that have had such an impact over the last decade. Whereas the other reforms were designed to greatly reduce the way the "State" interferes with people's lives to give them greater freedom, the effect of the welfare reforms is to dramatically increase the level of interference of the "State" in the day to day lives of a significant and growing proportion of the population," according to Dr Michael Goldsmith in his paper, "Welfare and Freedom in the 21st Century."

Dr Goldsmith gave several examples of how this occurs and those attending the conference in Wellington, indicated that they were well aware of these and other ways this interference occurred. The effect has been to create the situation the Government deplores, he said.

Contacts:

Dr Michael Goldsmith

Phone: 64 + 7 + 856-2889 (x 6426)

Fax: 64 + 7 + 856-2158

Ian Ritchie - Conference Organiser

Ph. (06) 350-6316, Fax (06) 350-6319 day

             328-9618                328-9618 evenings

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