RAETIHI FIRES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 178, 17 April 1918, Page 4

RAETIHI FIRES

THANKS-AND A REQUEST.

Reference to the Eactihi fires was made in the House of Representatives on Monday night by Mr. H. W. Smith, member for the district. Ho appealed to the Government through the Prime I Minister to give a straight-out grant for i the purpose of re-establishing the settlers who had suffered. Ho wished, he said, to express to the Prime Minister the thanks and appreciation of the whole district for his proinptitudo in authorising the expenditure of .£SOO to relieve tho most necessitous cases. That money had been very welcome, and had been spent to good advantage. He wished to thank also tho Minister ot Land 3 (the Hon. Mr. Guthrie) and his officers. There was no doubt that Mr. Guthrie had handled the situation in a way that was a credit to himself and the Government Mr. Gnthrio had shown that he hud a mind of liis own, and that lie was not afraid of acting on his own judgment. Mr. Smith wished to say that Mr. Guthrio had created a very favourable impression in tho district, ile wished to thank also tho Y.M.C.A. and tho Salvation Army for their aid. lie Efficiency Board had helped with tlie setting up of a permanent trust or committee, and helped tho settlers out of a difficulty very satisfactorily. lho response of the public throughout Jscyr Zealand had been magnificent, ami in was all the moro creditable for the lacf. that it was mado in such abnormal 'Mr!' Massey thanked the member for tho district for his appreciation of work: done by the Minister of Lands and us other colleagues and himself. He «»» glad to recognise that the sympathy, of tho wliolo community went out to uie sufferers. As (o the request for a gran (his was a matter for Cabinet ai.l he would ho glad to refer it to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity.