NO MORE RELIEF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20123, 18 December 1939, Page 13

NO MORE RELIEF

WAIROA ’QUAKE LOANS MINISTER’S ADVICE BOROUGH’S DECISION NO FURTHER ACTION (Special to tlio Herald.) WAIROA, this clay. No further concessions are to be j given to Wairoa in connection with J the repayment of its earthquake loans, according to advice received by the Wairoa Borough Council at its monthly meeting from the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, and Mr. E. L. Cullen, M.P. I In connection with the loans, the I Mayor, Mr. H. L. Marker, explained that a letter had been received from Mr. Cullen, in which he stated that he had discussed the position with the Minister. Howeevr, he regretted that he had been unable to obtain any further assistance. The Mayor then read a letter from the Minister in which it was stated that no furthar concessions could be granted to Wairoa. The Minister added that he realised the circumstances in Wairoa were somewhat different from those in other parts of the earthquake area, but these had been taken into consideration when the question of the loans was being reviewed. The borough could rest assured, the Minister stated, that everything possible had been done for it, and he expressed the hope that it would recommence repayment of the loan. Commenting on the Minister’s . letter, the Mayor stated _ mat he thought it was rather amusing, to say the least. The Minister had admitted that the circumstances here were ' somewhat different from those in other parts of the earthquake area, and that these had been taken into consideration. They had been taken into con- j sideration to such an extent, stated ( the Mayor, that Wairoa had received , exactly the same treatment as other j places., j About £4OOO Involved 1 The Mayor then moved that no ) further action be taken in connection ‘ with the matter, the motion being 1 seconded by Cr. M. J. Gemmell. “I think that’s a bit sudden,” said H Cr. J. O. Scott. “I would like time lto consider it. What I would like to know is, is it going to do any harm to this council?” In reply to a question, the Mayor I stated that the total amount involved was about £4OOO. ‘ Cr. Scott: I would like some dis- r cussion on it. The Mayor: There has been so much discussion an it that I am sick and • tired of it. Cr. Scott: Does this mean that we f are not going to pay? c The Mayor: We take no further c action. I The motion was put and carried, 1 Crs. A. W. Archibald, L. E. Galbx-aith j and J. O. Scott voting against it. 1 In reply to a question by Cr. C. R. t Sainsburv, me Mayor stated that the 1 Napier Borough Council had got the < off. 1 £IOI,OOO. i Cr. Galbraith asked why, me Mayor ( replying that it had been promised i before the election. ‘ Cr. Archibald then rose to voice a j pretest, the Mayor silencing him by < telling him that the discusison was 1 closed and that it was now too late to bring the question up. <