The Evening Star TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1929. FLOOD RELIEF CRITICISM.

Evening Star, Issue 20139, 2 April 1929, Page 8

The Evening Star TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1929. FLOOD RELIEF CRITICISM.

In very prompt manner tho public of Dunedin has subscribed well over £I,UUO towards Hood relief, exclusive of £SL)U being donated by tho Dunedin Savings Bank trustees. This timely realisation of the needs of those who for the most part have not any financial reserves to fall back on against a rainy day, both on the part of those who gave money and of those who gave their services, is tho bright spot in an occurrence which we hope will not again overtake this city. Unfortunately there has been another feature attaching to tho floods which might well nob have been introduced. At tho public meeting held at tho north end of the town an element of criticism was introduced which wo think subsequent ventilation Ims shown to have been unwarranted, indignation over tho corporation’s dilatoriness in carrying out a programme of drainage works outlined years ago as necessary for protection against Hoods is one thing; bub it is quite another thing to confuse Hood relief with Hood prevention and allow party or class heeling to distort one’s view of humanitarian work. Allegations were made which amounted to charges of favouritism and even callousness, as well as of laulty organisation. These, in our opinion, have been fully disproved, and it is not unlikely that the attempt to make political capital out of the affair will fail rather dismally. The letter from the deputy-mayor, published elsewhere in this issue, shows something of the inside of what must he regarded as an excellent piece of work, in which tho lead given by Mr Douglas must not bo overlooked. Unremitting work for as many hours on end' as could bo crowded into the twenty-four, for day after day, has been the record of himself and a number of others. .It merits better appreciation than attacks launched with a motive which plainly enough is the. displacement from office of sitting councillors at tho opportunity offering presently. Undoubtedly councillors again offering their services will be asked lor an explanation of the drainage policy pursued by the corporation, if tho present temper of citizens can be -taken as a guide to the municipal elections, and the same applies to the Harbour Board. But that is an altogether different matter from an attempt to use the Flood Relief Executive as a stepping stono to the council chamber. The stand Air Douglas made in that respect was entirely justifiable, .It was obvious thajb the executive would bo weakened rather than strengthened by tho introduction of any element that was nob absolutely single-minded, in its conception of the patamount business in band. In Air Douglas’s own words, ,! Want of information or 'misunderstanding conid have been tho only cause for the criticism of a splendid band of workers.” He himself courteously proffered to supply all possible information and remove misunderstanding. It is to be hoped that discussion or one unfortunate aspect of the floods will terminate with the publication of his letter.