EARTHQUAKE RELIEF.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 258, 31 October 1929, Page 22

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF.

LARGE NUMBER OF CLAIMS.

OVER £54.288 RECOMMENDED.

SUB-COMMITTEE'S WORK,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

The progress made in the granting of relief to sufferers from the recent earthquakes in the South Island was outlined by the Hon. G. W. Forbes in the House of Representatives to-day. Replying to a question, Mr. Forbes said he would confer with the Prime Minister with u view to holding a meeting of* the Central Earthquake Committee at an early date to deal with applications for assistance.

"It may be explained, however, that the work of the sub-committee has not yet been finally completed, as applications arc still being received/ , said Ml". Forbes. "The sub-committee ltfis given consideration to a large number of claims and grants totaling £54,288 have been recommended. The sub-committee has generally followed the recommendations of the district committees, but in a few instances, where settlers can be expected to provide free labour, slight reductions have been made. The recommendations of the sub-committee have been approved, in anticipation of the approval of the central committee, and the decisions have been conveyed to the district relief committees, so that relief measures are not being delayed in any way.

"Grants totalling £20,047 have been authorised on the recommendation of the Murchison committee, and £4109 on the recommendation of the Karamea committee. The latter committee is dealing with claims under £15. In the cases of Maruia and Morbyvale settlers where lack of access is the trouble, the position has been met by authorising the payment of allowances to Maruia settlers. In regard to Corbyvale, similar provision will be made, but the committee is awaiting information as to the number of dependents of settlers there.

"In some cases the sub-committee has considered it expedient to hold over applications pending the receipt of further information. The applications which have not been dealt with are mostly confined to people in more or less comfortable circumstances and to applications by institutions. Two members of the sub-committee recently visited the districts and conferred with the local committees \j regard to claims where sufficient information had not in the first instance been supplied. The local committees visited bad no complaint to make as to the administration of the relief measures."