EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 7 August 1929, Page 4

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

QNE of the. most extraordinary features in connection with relief of the immediate and more urgent difficulties and distress in the damaged area has been the promptness with which all concerned have acted, and the general good sense tind good feeling evinced. The situation fiom now on is likely to bo increasingly difficult, and we are of opinion that certain principles require to be laid clown with some clearness and emphasis if widespread disappointment and dissatisfaction are to be avoided. Thp public have subscribed very liberally, and it seems probable that the total sum will reach £125,000. It is reasonable to assume that the vast majority of subscribers had in mind the relief of genuine distress, and the mitigation of the hardships entailed on thoso whose homes were destroyed, whoso farms 'arid' stock had suffered, and whose means of livelihood were gone or at least much impaired. For these purposes the sum subscribed, if properly administered, would be if not adequate, at anyrato sufficient to help the worst sufferers out of some «f their difficulties. When, however, we review the total earthquake damage, it becomes evident that this is enormously in excess of the above sum, and may easily run into a huge total. Tho greaticr part of this is spread over a wide area, and among a relatively large population. There is obviously no possibility of public subscription covering the total damages, and it becomes the duty of those administering the relief funds to lay down very clearly the principles which shall govern their distribution; further, it is desirable that these principles should be enunciated and made public as soon as is possible. The difficulties of an equitable distribution of relief are certain to be very great, but wo feel that unless there is some plain speaking at this present juncture they will bo greater than they need j have beep. In this district, for example, Nelson City, the Waimeas, Motueka, Takaka and Collingwood have all suffered to some extent. Outside the so-called "brick area" in the city, the damage is mainly to chimneys (and in a' very few cases structural injury to buildings),"and while the total sum involved is large, that falling on any individual is not serious. The same doubtless applies to the West Coast towns, Reefton, Westport, and Greymouth, and j the smaller villages adjacent. In a few l necessitous cases relief has been afforded j in these areas and a few chimneys have j been rebuilt.

Taking all the factors of the situation into account we feel that not much more than this is to be expected without seriously hampering the work in Murchisom, Karamea, and thoso districts where the damage has been more extensive. The loss of chimneys to a struggling family in Nelson or Takaka, say, may be a matter of some concern, but is in no way comparable to that of so many of the Murchison and Karamea people, and we feel convinced that this view will govern the Central. Relief Committee in formulating their policy. Any attempt at a pro rata distribution of funds without regard to the necessities or financial position of the applicants would be indefensible on any ground, and would be in our opinion in direct opposition to the intentions of the subscribers. Tho conclusion to which we arc led then is that the Jess damaged districts will in most cases have to shoulder their losses individually, and if, as we anticipate, this is the view of the Central Committee, the sooner it is clearly made public tho better. Those in the brick area whose business premises require costly repairs are deserving of our sympathy as their losses in some cases are very heavy, but like the household whose chimneys are clown they can hardly expect any financial assistance from the relief Tund, unless indeed the fund proves more than sufficient for the restoration in the de-

vastated areas. Such a conclusion to the investigations of loss being made at the present time is unfortunately most improbable. Save in a few destitute and necessitous cases financial assistance cannot bo forthcoming to cover the losses in the Nelson district outside of the Murchison County. While this conclusion, if out' conjecture is correct, will be a serious disappointment to a. large number of people who may be marking time awaiting help in the restoration of their chimneys and other minor repairs to their homes, we feel it incumbent upon us to point to the improbability pf vain hopes being realised.