OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1931, Page 4

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

BY VISITING MINISTERS. THE POSITION REVIEWED. DANNKVIRKK. February 6. In an official statement of the position in Napier, Hons. E .A. Ransom and R. Masters, to-day said to ;x “News" reporter, after detailing the relief measures inaugurated by the Govrnment, the whole of the organisation is now working very smoothly and efficiently and Tn the main, every provsion has been made as far as is humanly possible for food and the care of the people in the stricken area. We unde;stand aniioucemeiits have been made regarding compulsory evacuation from Napier and Hastings. That is contrary to fact, for no order has been given to the people to leave Napier or Hastings although it was felt desirable to get some of the women and children away from Napier, because the water supply drainage system had failed. Evacuation was therefore optional, but a large number of people were anxious to get away as soon as possible, because of a fear of further disturbances, as .minor shakes and tremors were still being experienced. The position in regard to Hastings is somewhat different, because the water supply and drainage are intact. Therefore there is no necessity for the people to leave Hastings. As the people of Hnstings in many cases were desirous of returning to their ftomes owing to their having being damaged, Government made arrangements fay tents to be supplied to those who do* sired them, and who would camp In many casos on their own properties. On Wednesday night we provided 1500 tents to afford a shelter for urgent cases in Napier, where peopyj were camped on the beach.

The statement that martial law is in force at Napier and Hastings is quite contrary to fact. Our organisation for control of the situation at Napier is working very smoothly and the special committee of which the Commissioner of Police is Chairman is doing admirable work.

We feel that we should make some special reference to the work that has been undertaken by the Navy under Commodore Blake. These men hav« thrown themselves whole heartedly into every class of work which they have been called upon to undertake, from policing the town to recovering bodies from the debris, and the provisioning of the people. Their work and behaviour have been simply magnificent, upholding the best traditions of the British Navy. We would also like, on behalf of the Government, to express appreciation of the magnificent and wonderful work carried out by the doctors, nurses, hospital boards, members of automobile associations, and private individuals

generally. The Prime Minister has sent for Hon Ransom and myself to return to Wellington, with a view to advising him as to the whole position, particularly in regards to t\»e financial responsibility of the Government. We have no doubt a Cabinet meeting will be called upon our return, after which a general statement of the policy of the Government in reference to financial assisnnce to the sufferers, will be made by the Prime Minister, Our chief fear in regard to the position at Napier was the possibility of an epidemic breaking out. The whole position has been well taken in hand by the Health Department under the supervision of Dr Watt, who in co-op-erating with officers of the Defence Department is making necessary arrange merits in sanitation,

While we deplore the calamity which has overtaken Hnwkes Bay and the great loss of life, we think that the casualties will not exceed 200. Considering the severity of the disturbance, the marvel is that the casualties are not greater.

Air Ransom said:—“We regard the disaster "as a national one, and the responsibility rests very largely on New Zealand in the matter of assistance in the rehabilitation of the stricken area. It is impossible to estimate and exaggerate the damage that has been done by the disastrous quake, and it is obvious that financial assistance will have to be found for the stricken people, in the rehabilitation of their towns.