SUGGESTION OF DELAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 26 July 1929, Page 9

SUGGESTION OF DELAY

RESENTED BY CENTRAL ' COMMITTEE "COMMITTEE IS WAITING” (By Telegraph—Special to "The Mail") CHRISTCHURCH, 25th July. "The Central Relief Committee resents the suggestion that there lias been unnecessary delay in. dispensing its funds, said the. Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. K. Archer) to-day on bis return from a meeting of the committee in Wellington. “It is maintained,” he continued, “that there has been no such delay on the part of the committee itself. Funds have already been placed at the disposal of the local committee on. the West Coast and other responsible individuals and groups for relief where immediate action is required. Speaking generally, however, the committee is waiting, as it is obliged to wait, for reports from the local committees and other official bodies as to the damage actually done. • It is impossible to distribute the funds with fairness until all claims have been lodged and verified. This is a much more comprehensive work than people away from (he Coast realise, because it means the examination of pinny hundreds of properties in addition to roads, bridges and other conveniences. The primary aim of the committee, said the Mayor, was to distribute the funds with even-handed justice among various claimants and In do so as expeditiously as possible though it could not act without the necessary information. The extent to which the Government would subsidise voluntary contributions could not vet be stated because this must depend on the total amount required for rehabilitation. The delay on the Government's part was not due to a desire to evade its responsibilities but lo a desire of having all the tacts possible before it made us decision. “It may, I think,” said Mr Archer, “be. depended upon to deal with the situation generously when the moment for action arrives.” In order to get the necessary information from the Coast it was decided to ask the Government that Government officers should endeavour as soon as possible to get all claims and valuations ascertained so that a comprehensive statement eotiid hr made. In the meantime the work cf minor restoration, putting houses i:i order and renewing roads and bridges was prom-ding rapidly.