SCHEME IN HAND

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1931, Page 15

SCHEME IN HAND

CO-ORDINATED RELIEF WELLINGTON'S PART

A big scheme to co-ordinato relief measures in the Wellington district was inaugurated to-day at a public meeting, convened by the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) and held in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall. Over 600 people representing (practically every phase 6factivity in'the city attended the meeting. Committees: were set up to deal with the collection of food, clothing, medical supplies, money, and, what was stated to, be the most pressing' need, accommodation for the refugees. Immediately after the main meeting the; committees, met to discuss : their respective duties, and report to the executive, at the earliest opportunity.. ■; '.-,■ ... ; . •. , The Mayor said the large-attend-ance augured well for the success of the scheme which he proposed to detail.. Wellington .unquestionably had been profoundly moved byt; the great disaster in Hawkes Bay, ■; It -was an astonishing- thing to : him that, during the short interval since the earthquake so much had been. done.: Spontaneously the people- not only of Wellington but of the whole Dominion had riseirto the occasion and done yeoman service in giving' relief where possible. .The various organisations had leapt into the. breach right from the start and were doing wonderful work. Mr. Troup mentioned the splendid ■ work of the Bed Cross Society, the St. John Ambulance, the Wellington Free Ambulance, the Salvation Army, tho Wellington Automobile , • Club, and > many other bodies, and' referred to tho efforts which were being made to provide light and water in the stricken area. There was, ■ however, still a great deal to do, and he proposed to, expound a scheme to unify the whole of the operations and avoid over-lapping. A CENTRAL COMMITTEE. Mr. Troup suggested there should be set up a large central committee: on which the various organisations, of the city and the City Council .would be represented. The committee would consist of the,llayor and councillors ' of Wellington, tho chairmen of the Harbpur Board, Hospital Board,. Bed Cross Society, St. John Ambulance, the,presidents, of the Chamber of Commerce, Trades and Labour Councily Commercial Travellers' Association, Bbtary Club, Civil Service, Club, Wellington Automobile Club, Bishop . Sprott,; Archbishop; O 'Shea, Commissioner (Salvation Army), the Moderator of the Presbyterian v Church,, representatives of the Baptist, Church,, Methodist Church,. Congregational Church, and the Churches of Christ, the chairmen of the Manufacturers ' Association, Beturned, Soldiers'' Association, the 'secretary of the V.M.C.A., and the chairmen of the various committees working-in with the executive. The Accommodation Committee, which wouli also* be the Beception Committee, would meet trains on arrival, take charge .'of , the refugees, and billet them..■'., In;' that connection the response already ; had; beer, simply inarvellous,r and were 1000 people to arrive- in the next few; days accommodation • could; be provided foT them in Wellington homes. Mr. Troup made an appeal for many more offers of private accommodation, which would be infinitely better than herding the refugees in camps; If people could take only one child they would ba helping. Tho Clothing Committee would cm-' brace all thowomen's clubs at present ■Arorkiii't," in'--that connection,, and'would' be under the control of .Mrs.. Corkill. In regard to food many generous offers had been made, but inoro-were needed,, and the Salvation Army would-be asked to deal with that branch- bi ';' the work. Medical: supplies would be handled, by the-St; John Ambulance and the bodies working in conjunction-With it. ; V Tho Wellington Automobile Club' would be asked to continue with the ■ transport arrangements. In regard to the collection' of funds there was .between £3000 and £400Q available for-immedi-ate use.' The executive:"would be in charge of the collection of "funds and would be constituted the Finance Committee. ■■ ' ' ' ,-. .'. ; ... ':':'. ' i;";';(.' '■': : • ''■■}' >- REFTOEES EVACUATED. Major Abel (Bed Cross) said that,-it was very-difficult to obtain accurate information regarding ' the , arrival of. trains with refugees. Only this morning wireless 'communication had bepn established with' Napier,' and it vras stated that 900 rdfugees .wete ■••< being evacuated to-day, and ■ a -special train would leave to-morrow with . 500 more; Those who had already arrived' had been cared for in, every way." '! Mr. K. Semple, M.P., who returned this morning from the Hawkes' Bay district, detailed some of the terrible scenes he had witnessed on the trip, and stressed the neod for co-ordination in tho relief • measures. He made the strongest possible appeal to everyone to help in somo way to alleviate thei&istress. .■■•"'■ _ V .: ■■ "■ • : ; It was agreed that the Mayors or chairmen of the local bodies between Upper Hutt and Wellington and Levin, and Wellington and all members of Parliament in the district should be added, to the central committee. With that addition, the scheme-was unanimously approved. :, : ' -.-■' On behalf of the Wellington Automobile Club, Mr. E. A. Batt presented the Mayor with a cheque for £.500, and it: was also "announced'that the Amalgamated Society of Bailway Servants had' to-day voted £'500 to the fund. . There should be no idea that everything possible was not being done, said Mr. P. Eraser, M.P., .who also returned to-day from Napier. There was no need for panic, but co-ordination was essential. Immediately after the conclusion of business the various committees met to discuss their plans s of campaign for report to the executive. ONE DAY'S WAGES. ■ A moeting of the central committee of which the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, is chairman, was held later. The Deputy Town Clerk, Mr. B. Tait, was appointed secretary, -.and Mr. C. Collins treasurer, of the fund. - . . In response to a request from the Mayor, the two business men, Mcssers. G-. Shirtcliffe and John Myers, are to act with him. Lists were; handed round, and a. number of those present indicated that they would call on business men. It was pointed out, however, that the, firms would materially help, matters if they would subscribe to the fund without waiting to be called upon. , Mr. J. I.lott said that the employees of his firm had agreed to give one day's wages, and if that were done throughout Wellington it would bring hi about £80,000. It was decided to make an appeal on these grounds, and that the various unions should be approached and'asked to assist in the matter.