Floods Relief Committee.

Hastings Standard, Issue 357, 26 June 1897, Page 2

Floods Relief Committee.

A QUESTION OF COLOR. A special meeting of the Flood Relief Central Committee was held at Napier yesterday for the purpose of discussing the question whether the Natives should be considered no the same level as Europeans in the distribution of relief. The executive was represented by the Mayor of Napier (Mr G. H. Swan), and Mr J. Coleman. There were also present the Mayor of Hastings (Mr Fitzßoy), the Hon. J. Carroll, and Mr A. L. D. Fraser. The Minister was asked to provide special Government aid for the Natives, which suggestion he refused to entertain, saying: " That if the Government contributed anything towards the fund it would be for the benefit of all the sufferers without any distinction of race. In reply to a question as to the disposal of the £7,000 granted annually by Parliament for the relief of indigent Natives, the Minister explained that there were so many calls upon this fund for education, medical attendance, pensions, &c., on this fund that it was invariably swamped by its legitimate claims. Mr Fraser said an impression had been gaining ground lately that the central committee intended to ignore the Natives in the distribution of relief; but this w T as repudiated by the Mayor and Mr Coleman. Mr Fraser in reply justified his assertions by letters which he read from some of the sub-committee. Messrs Fitzßoy, Carroll and Fraser strongly urged that there should be no color distinction in the distribution, and it was ultimately decided to ask Mr Fraser to make out a written report to be forwarded to the executive as to the requirements of the Natives both at the present moment and in the immediate future, this report to be handed in by Monday, 28th inst. The meeting then adjourned.