EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 896, 13 February 1930, Page 8

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

ADMINISTRATION OF FUND

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER Press Association ROTORUA. Wednesday. The Prime Minister. Sir Joseph Ward, as chairman of the Central Earthquake Committee, made the following statement briefly indicating the progress of relief measures in connection with the earthquake on the West Coast last June: At the last meeting of the Central Earthquake Committee grants totalling £51,432 Ss Id for the repair of earthquake damage were authorised. The committee had previously authorised grants amounting to £2.420 14s Sd. so that the total authorities at the date of the last meeting of the committee were £53.853 2s 9d. An executive committee” was appointed to deal with any other applications that might be received and up to the present the executive has authorised grants amounting to £19.393 14s sd. Thus the total grants authorised by the central committee for the repair of earthquake damage to property, as distinct from expenditure connected with, refugees, allows ances to settlers on account of loss of access and pensions for widows and dependents of persons killed during the earthquake, amouut to £73.246 17s 2d. Applications for assistance are still being, received from some of the district committees and are being dealt with by the executive of the Central Committee. In addition the executive is investigating complaints that have been regarding insufficiency of assistance already granted. When these matters are finalised a meeting of the Central Earthquake Committee will be held. In regard to those cases where settlers are unable, through lack <;f road access, to work their farms the committee has authorised the payment of allowances until sucli time as road access is restored. Allowances amounting to approximately £BO a week are at present being paid and it is impossible at the moment to determine the total amount that will be required on this account. Concerning the question of assistance for widows and dependents of persons killed during the earthquake, the committee at its last meeting.resolved to request the Commissioner of Pensions to investigate and report on what provision it wo’uld be reasonable to make out of the relief fund on this account. The report of the commissioner will be considered at the next meeting of the committee. It is probable that approximately £20,000 will be required for the purpose of providing for widows and dependents of those who lost their lives as a result of the earthquake. The foregoing summary does not provide for the whole of the charges on the central fund, but covers only the authorities definitely issued by the central committee. The fund has to

meet the charges incidental -to the care of refugees from affected areas immediately following the disturbance. In addition to this, authority was given for certain repairs to be carried out in the Buller and Karamea districts without reference to the central committee, and the total expenditure under these headings is at present uncertain. A full statement of the fund and the commitments will, however, be placed before the central committee at its next meeting.