PREMIER’S PROMISES

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1931, Page 4

PREMIER’S PROMISES

INSURANCE AND TAX CONCESSIONS. (11 y Telegraph —Per Press Association) HASTINGS, February 10. A conference dealing with problems now facing the business people of the town as well as the residents gener--1 ally, was held at Hastings this afternoon, Mr Forbes representing the Government. Sir A. Xgata (Native Minister), and Dr. E. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa, were among others present. The speakers asked for Government assistance in reconditioning the town, and referred to the payment ot the men engaged on such work. Air Forbes, in reply said the Central Relief Committee would meet at Wellington to-morrow. and establish branches in the affected areas. The Central Committee’s policy in regard to the distribution of funds would bo similar to that adopted in respect of the West Coast earthquake. The first call on the funds would be the person al requirements of the people in distress. Then would come the necessity of restoring the houses, and next the restoration of business activity, It was a-big task to restore commerce in the two towns so badly broken at Napier and Hastings, but the Government intended to do its very utmost to assist, The question of Local versus Government control would he fully investigated by Cabinet, and a decision given later, As for the question of employment of labour by owtaidecontractors they would be debarred from using outside labour except insofar ns they might have to import specially skilled workers, Cabinet would meet to discuss the whole matter ns early as possible. “Afy colleagues and I are fully determined that everything shall he done than can.” Sir Andrew .Russell mentioned the problems of farmers affected by the quake, and s aid that though their position was not a matter of life or death, many of them bad suffered material damage, and required financial assistance.

Air Forlies assured him the claims of town and country would be considered on their merits. He also assured the meeting the town would be protected from any incursion from outsiders seeking to establish businesses, and whatever goods had already been bought by the Relief Committee for immediate relief of distress would he paid for out of the funds. He announced the Government Insurance Office would pay out under fire policies on the buildings which had been destroyed by the fire following tile quake. The earthquake was a risk which must he taken by us in New Zealand, and we were going to lay down a. set of building regulations to cover the whole of the Dominion. It would he the Government’s duty to see that buildings were built to stand quake shocks. They could not take the risk of any more disasters such as had just been experienced. He added that he hoped the other insurance institutions would follow the Government’s lead in waiving their rights under the fir© policies on the buildings destroyed by the quake and subsequently. It was, how* ever, a matter for them to deal with, Mr Forbes also stated that special con. siderntion would be given the sufferers in connection with the payment of income tax.