REBUILDING THE EARTHQUAKE AREA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 53, 4 March 1931, Page 6

REBUILDING THE EARTHQUAKE AREA.

There seems to be very urgent need of a definite scheme as a basis for advances of money to proprietors of businesses in the stricken area to enable them to make an immediate start to build premises in which to recommence business operations. There appears to be a general feeling of keenness to get moving in this direction, but progress appears to be held up by .the lack of a •working plan as to what pro{Pbrtion of financial assistance is to be given to the individuals concerned. I suggest a scheme under four headings which, to me, seems the simplest way of getting at it:—(a) To.ascertain the amount of insurance, building and stock each firm was covered for; (b) the Government to decide on a sum of money which it would provide as a loan to those requiring assistance; (c) it would then be calculated what percentage this sum would be in relation to the amount of the total insurance; (d) say, for example, that the percentage was 25 per cent, this amount would be made available in order to provide immediate funds for building and purchase of stock, etc. Assistance would then be given according to the amount of insurance cover the individual concern paid for, which would be very fair and equitable treatment of every case, and it should not be difficult to ascertain the amount of insurance involved. It is understood that the moneys loaned must be used- in rehabilitating business premises, and the same scheme could be used in connection with residences. Some other arrangement would be necessary in the case of premises not insured at all. In my opinion the on loans in these instances should be a little higher, as those paying !3ri r entitled to a little more S iera j lo n than those who just "trust to Sinn• not borne the proe^ nSe . in their businesses. I submit this scheme in the rough to those to d?alS. C w e fT, IS ,V trUSted the task of t ma? co iJ P l em and trusting that it may contain some helpful points. N.G.H.