PEOPLE IMPATIENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 17 July 1929, Page 9

PEOPLE IMPATIENT

IN EARTHQUAKE AREA AT ShOWNIsSS 01' RESTORATION \ IMMKDIAT?! NBIiDH (By Telegraph- From "The Mail's" Special liepresentalivc) * WESTPORT, 16th July. After visiting Nelson, Murchison and Westport it is impossible I" be unaware of a widespread feeling of impatience at the comparative slowness at which the work of restoration in the earthquake area is proceeding. The Public" Works Department has done splendid work on the essential roads—work that can only be appreciated by those who saw the roads as they were immediately after the shake. The only cavilling at what is being done in this connection appears to arise out of Ihe differences of opinion as to just what road work should be given precedence. This, however, is inevitable, when so- much requires lo be undertaken. So far as can. be gathered the work pill in hand has been wisely chosen. It is in the matter of restoring the damage to private, property that complaint is heard. It is not loud at present but widespread. While everybody realises that the task is difficult there is a strong feeling that the Central Committee is getting hold of the wrong end of the stick. It may he that the committee has a, complete answer to the gist of the criticism commonly heard in. the earthquake districts, and in every case it seems desirable that some publicity should be given to that criticism. The position is that the committee is calling on persons who seek relief grants to (ill in application forms giving about as complete ;i disclosure of their financial status as the Income Tax Office requires and withholding action, until the financial eligibility of the applicant is established. While everybody realises that great care is needed lo prevent imposition there is a general feeling that the 'policy adopted overlooks some important aspects of the problem and must greatly delay the work of restoration. THE BASIC FACTS The basic facts of the situation are: First, that a great deal of damage to private, property has been done here in West port. Practically every house has damage done to it. According to the local committee the chief (rouble is fallen chimneys. In the second place there is in the various districts only a limited amount of skilled labour available for the work needed and the local committees have no control over that labour.

In the third place it is very necessary to bear in mind that whether a man has an income of i'4 or £4O a week it. makes no difference to his elemental human need of a roof over his head and at least one fire place in working order under it. The real need is to get every home going again as rapidly as possible. After the essential minimum has been e.f fected in. each case the frills can be let'! ever, and after the job has been done it will be time enough to decide how much each householder should pay out of bis own pocket and how much should come from the public subscription or a State grant. That part, it is contended, can be as well settled after as before and people should not live in the wet and cold while it is being agreed. Further, many critics are heard alleging that the present plan of working is simply resulting in people in a position to pay outright for their repairs getting a first call on most of the available labour. One suggestion the writer has heard and which seems worth airing is that a ' good executive is needed to get this essential work in all the districts going on sound lines, and one local body man expressed the opinion that if an engineer such as Mr Tyndale of the Main Highways Board were put on to the task things would soon begin to move. 'As it is," said this critic, "it looks to me as if it will be a good three years before Westport has its last chimney up again." Summed up the general feeling through all the districts is that an executive 'to get things done is needed much more urgently than a committee lo talk of what should he done.