AN APPEAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 332, 20 September 1932, Page 5

AN APPEAL

(Press. Assn.-

for 'quake victims CENTRAL FUND TO BE SET UP BY THE GOVT. PRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGE

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Wellington, Monday. The following appeal has been issued to the people of the Dominion by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Gi W. Forbes: "In view of the damage caused by the recent earthquake at Wairoa and Gisborne and the surrounding* districts, following so closely upon the serious disaster of February 1931, by which considerable damage was caused to the same districts, I desire to issue an appeal to the people of New Zealand for financial assistance to relieve, in some measure, the plight of the sufferers in the district affected. "It will be realised that although this most recent earthquake cannot be compared with the disaster of February 1931, residents and the

only held from total collapse by guy ropes. Considerable damage 'had been business community in the. district have not recovered from the effects of the previous disaster, and are not in a position to bear the additional loss which 'has ! resulted from the recent earthquake.. "I have no doubt that the philanthropic spirit of New Zealanders, which has been amply demonstrated in the past, will ensure a ready and generous response to this appeal for assistance to our fellow countrymen who are now in such need of help. "I would suggest that relief funds be inaugurated in each centre of population throughout the Dominion, nreferably by the municipal authorities and the newspaper offices. In previous disasters, the Government established a general fund to bo administered by a special representative committee. Any moneys received direet by the Government will be paid into the general fund, the administration of which will closely follow the administration set up in connection with previous earthquakes. Bank receipts for donations in respect of this appeal may be sent to the Seeretary of the Treasury, at Wellington, and a covering letter setting out details. The donations of all contributions will be publicly acknowledged through the press, and official receipts forwarded for all remittances. Steps also will be taken by the Government to submit legislation to Parliament at the f ortheoming session to validate donations to the earthquake fund. The setting up of a central fund, as in previous cases to enable assistance in various localities to be coordinated will be authorised, and the resulting concentration of effort will justify the measures taken."