IN DIRE NEED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 29, 27 April 1927, Page 9

IN DIRE NEED

Thousands are Starving in Mississippi Flood Area GIGANTIC RELIEF WORK BEGINS 1 We are all in dire need—the town has no bread and 2000 people on the levee have not been fed since Monday. Tell the world we need food, boats, shelter, tents and bedding.” This message was received by airplane from Little Rock, a flood-stricken town in the Mississippi Valley.

By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 8.40 a.m. MEMPHIS, Tuesday. It is estimated that the dead in the flood stricken area varied on Tuesday from 200 to 500.

Refugees from newly inundated sections of the Mississippi in Arkansas and Louisiana have swelled the ranks to 150,000 homeless in concentration camps. A statement has been issued that a steamer is proceeding down the Mississippi. Mr. H. G. Hoover, Secretary of Commerce, said: —“The great question is what is going to happen to the levees lower down the river on the arrival of the crest of the flood.” Governor Simpson, of Louisiana, with the concurrence of Mayor O’Keefe, of New Orleans, asked the War Department’s approval of a scheme to break the Mississippi levees and relieve the -flood situation. The proposed break would be created below New Orleans to divert the wall of water rushing down the great stream. Governor Simpson’s message to Mr. J. J. Davis, Secretary of Labour, declared that Louisiana and New Orleans had pledged their faith to compensate any damages caused by the

break, and urged that present conditions require immediate action. In the meantime the Red Cross organisation, under Mr.* Henry Baker, National Director of Disaster Relief Work, has established a large depot for the distribution of supplies to refugees. Mr. Baker has requisitioned the War Department for a large quantity of supplies. Twenty-five thousand tents, 25,000 cots, 100,000 blankets and 200 fieldkitchens will be rushed to the relief camps wherever needed. The navy has also been asked for four more hydroplanes which will be used to make daily surveys of the flooded sections to locate marooned refugees and carry supplies. The evacuation by inhabitants from homes in the Delta region is continuing on a large scale. Relief camps will be maintained until the last victims can return to their homes, which it is estimated will be at least a month, after which the Red Cross plans to aid their rehabilitation by r providing clothing and a small amount of furniture. In the meantime Mr. H. C. Hoover, Secretary of Commerce, is proceeding down the Mississippi surveying the desolated areas.