THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2387, 31 December 1908, Page 4

THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE.

' - Tho'-deplorable catastrophe which- has resulted, as the cables inform us, sn the virtual destruction of the ■ city's-of Aleslina as well /as a number of towns and villages in Sicily and Calabiia, is one Avhich will have sent a thrill of horror throughout the whole of tho civilised world. It is impossible for ns at this distance to fully appreciate the extent of tho calamity and to realise the,extent of the desolation that has come over the people of Southern Italy. If the reports to lian-d already are only approximately correct, a number ’ exceeding one-tenth of the entire population of Now Zealand have been killed in the aAvf-ul holocaust , Avhilst a still greater number will in all probability liaAfo been ruined. Tins, certanly seems a*-_caso for assistance, a case Avhero it should he a privilege for a people so fortunately situated as ourselves to make some effort to show our sympathy and alleviate some of

the distress- amongst the unfortunate peasants of Southern Italy, it is to be,hoped that the Government will promptly make some move in the matter, ‘and particularly at this period of the year, when N we have been celebrating at Christmas festivals the brotherhood of man, it should be es--pecially a privilege to lend a helping hand to those ivho have" been smitten so suddenly and so terribly by the great earthquake. Any action the Premier may take in this direction will, Ave feel sure, meet*"Avith the entire approval of the whole of the community.