FEW APPLICATIONS MADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 22

FEW APPLICATIONS MADE.

FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF. COMMITTEE MEETS NEXT WEEK (Bj- Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON Wednesday. Applications for assistance from the earthquake relief funds have not been lodged as promptly as anticipated, according to a statement made by the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, in the House of Representatives to-day. Sir Joseph, who is chairman of the Central Relief Committee, said the closing date for the receipt of applications had been extended to August 31, and the committee decided it would not be necessary to hold a meeting until after that date. It was tentatively decided to hold a meeting on September 4, but as applications had not been received from the district committees by that date he deemed it advisable to postpone the meeting. "The position at the moment is that only about 12 applications have been received from Westport, and none from Karamea." said Sir Joseph. "About two-thirds of the applications received by the Murchison committee have been forwarded to the Central Committee, and the bulk of the Nelson applications is also in hand. The original intention of the committee was to deal with all applications at the one time, in order that the fund might be equitably distributed, the idea, being that the distribution could only be undertaken when the total assistance required was known. However, as this seems to be impossible of fulfilment I propose to call a meeting of the committee for September 25, when the position will be considered."