EARTHQUAKE FUND.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 295, 4 July 1929, Page 5

EARTHQUAKE FUND.

BOARD DECLINES TO HELP A Matter for the Government. At the July meeting of the Putaruru Town Board, held on Monday evening, a letter was received from the Putaruru branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union stating that the matter of starting a subscription list towards the relief of those who suffered in the recent earthquakes in the South Island would be discussed at a meeting of the urfion, but in the meantime the union was of the opinion that any relief fund should be started by the Town Board and then all moneys collected could be forwarded in the name of the Putaruru district. The letter stated that the Farmers’ Union could be relied or, to do its part in getting subscriptions and all such will be handed to the board. The suggestion that the Town Board open a fund at its office closed the letter.* The chairman (Mr. G. G. Griffiths) gave it as his private opinion that any national disaster should be a charge on the Government. Mr. McDermott personally thought it should come out of the Consolidated Fund, but the Government were not taking the interest that they should. He, however, considered that something should be done. The chairman hereon stated it may sound heartless, but it was a national thing. Mr. A. E. Barr Brown said that those who wanted to subscribe had plenty of opportunities. Mr. Yhndle said that most local bodies were giving donations, a statement which was queried by Mr. Barr Brown.

Mr. McDermott then remarked that the mere fact that the Putaruru Town Board were standing out was not going to make any difference, but the chairman again repeated that the Government should be responsible.

Mr. McDermott was not in favour of giving a big donation. Mr. Yandle: If you like to open a list I will give £5 ss. Mr. Bent: I am prepared to give £3 3s. The chairman said they could open a list without giving anything. They should also write to Mr. Clinkard, M.P., expressing their views‘that the Government should treat it as a first charge. Mr. McDermott agreed with the chairman’s suggestion, and the board decided on doing so.