DISPERSAL OF FLOOD RELIEF

Chronicle (Levin), 3 May 1947, Page 2

DISPERSAL OF FLOOD RELIEF

(SneciaL Correspondent.)

lieceived Friday, 7 p.m. LONDON, May 2. New Zealauders who have conti'ibuted so generously to the Lord Mayor's natioual' flood distress fund may rest assured tkat the fullest and wise'st use is being made of the money sent to London. The object of the fund is to alleviate distress and help is given where evidence is produced of distress or hardship caused by the prolonged winter storms and floods. The irnmediate aiins are to repiaee or repair personai and domestie losses such as clothing, furniture, bedding, furnishings and floor coverings. Assistance is also given for reinstating people in their homes and the redeeoration of houses. The fund is administered by an exeeutive committee. It nieets weeltly at the Mansion House and the Lord Mayor presides over the gathering of alder; men of the Corpoiation of London, representatives of banlcing, insuranee*, accountancy, press circles and also ot central governuient departments, the Hoyal Agricultural Society, British and Canadian JRed Cro3S Societies, NationaJ council of Social Service and Women 's Voluntary Service. The local authorities have established relief committees which include voluntary- organisations and they receive applications from those desiring help. These applications are then forwarded to the executive committee which decides the grants to be made, Representatives of these local committees, together with the executive committee, form an advisory council to review progress and the administratioti of the fund. One stipulation is that the grants may not be used to meet stock, crop and other industrial losses sustained by farmers, since there is a natioual agricultural disatser fund to alleviate any such claims. Farmers, of course, are eligible to receive assistance to replace their personal and domestie losses. No relief is given where the losses are covered 'by insurance. The sums disbursed so far amount to £160,000.