The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1931. FACING THE FUTURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1931. FACING THE FUTURE.

It is a week to-day since the great earthquake disaster overtook the chief centres of the Hawkes Bay province. [ 11 the interval, the news and information gleaned have conveyed to all tile great gravity of the catastrophe. Some little relief can be felt that the death roll is not as large as was first anticipated. The first estimates went as bight as live hundred, but fortunately the total will be less than half that large number. Y"et. the deaths represent a very heavy toll indeed, and indicate how serious the visitation has been. Many are still

desperately injured, and with shock and other ill-effects the complete total ol deaths due to the earthquake, will never be fully ascertained. Regarding the financial loss, it is difficult to set an estimate. It will run into millions, due to the destruction of blocks of line buildings and their contents. The raging fire added greatly to the loss of property, as a iso no doubt loss of life, for many were trapped and had to suffer a terrible end. The area of the closely built business icentre of Napier alone would run into several acres of line buildings, several but lately built. At Hastings, Wairoa, and in the country surrounding, there lias lawn great destruction of property also, involving enormous private loss. Tile destruction of the harbour at Napier involves a large monetary loss; so, too with loading, and the destruction of drainage, sanitation, electric-lighting, and all the amenities which go to make up a well ordered modern populous centre such ns the towns and districts involved in the catastrophe. With all this tremendous loss in mind, the need for financial help is at once apparent. A great humane call comes to the Dominion, and it is being answered in a spontaneous, ready way. The heaviest burden of all will fall no doubt on the Government, but, private persons ami local bodies are rightly hurrying to the help of the stricken localities. This is n very fine spirit and is typical of the race and the people. It is splendid, too, to read of what is being offered from oven seas. At such a time and on such an occasion, the whole world is kin, and from every quarter there is readiness to heir). It is good to see this for it brings home the fact that the brotherhood of man can never he regarded as an impossibility. Locally there is every prospect of the town and district doing its part readily and well to assist in co-ordinating efforts throughout the district. Local organisation is to be set up. and a record kept of all that is being done to help. By this means more will 1>? possible. and tbe result will redound tbe greater to the credit of the people and the district. It is pleasing to learn from those who have returned safely from the district affected, Ithat so much was possible at such short notice to help and succour the distressed. The Mayor of Napier has expressed the gratitude of tile people and paid tribute to all who came forward so readily to help. The presence of a warship at Napier was most opportune in every way. The Ministers of the Crown sized up the situation at once, and with departmental officers, rushed to the scene. The response of the medical profession was also prompt ami no less splendid. Everything, indeed, was a tribute to the highest attributes in human nature, and supplied all possible comfort to the afflicted peoples. The future has now to be faced, ami to that end all possible support should bo given, The local fund should he augmented to the fullest in the common purpose to help those in distress, many of whom apart from the loss of relatives and friends, have lost their all, Ready and plontious giving should be the order of the day.