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Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1929, Page 4

Hokitika and the AVeslland district f n-enerallv is to ho given the opportun- I itv to do its part in the present urgent- I need for financial help from those ruined <o the dovastalod areas whore I bo oar'hoiinke was in its severestform. The Alavor has opened n list, and subscriptions are now being re-| coived by the Town Clerk. The evid-j once of destruction a-rumM belli in - story and picture from the aiDiHed areas in the North leaves no doubt as to Ihe necessity for help being fortheoiuimr. Tt- is net- possible to estimate the full loss of those who have had their homes desolated and properties

destroyed, and who now find themselves driven out to make a fresh start. The losses are on such a scale that tney can only be fully met by a national effort, by a general rallying of the community to the assistance of the districts in which the people have suffered so heavy a blow. ’I (ic Government must do its part in providing out of the national revenues a substantial sum to meet the losses incurred by individuals as well as to repair the damage to punlie buildings and wor.-s. The community as a whole will, however, not ne t\.nlent to Lox on and leave it entirely to the Government, as its representative, to meet the requirements of this emergency. Help from private narcos must also 1.-e forthcoming. Such help has the special value that it can lie applied more quickly than Government assistance to alleviate the most pressing needs of people in the devastate da l eas. The poignancy of the mute appeal of the moment cannot he denied. The immediate opportunity is presented to give practical expression to the sympathy of the rest of the Dominion with the sufferers in the ravaged districts. That it will be embraced in the true spirit of fellowcitizenship and humanity, and that the people will respond liberally is being evidenced already, and this district is not likely to lie behind in a generous contribution.