RELIEF PLANS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19668, 11 July 1929, Page 9

RELIEF PLANS.

POEICY OF CENTRAL COMxMITTEE. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER (P*K?S ASSOCIATION TBt.3tiBAM.) WELLINGTON, July 10. The Prime Minister made a statement in the House of Representatives yesterday on a meeting of the Central Earthquake Committee, held this morning. He said: '•The Central Fund now totals approximately £34,000, and in order that the funds might earn interest until required for restoration purposes, it was decided that the surplus moneys in hand be invested with the Public Trustee at call, who would allow 5i per cent, interest. "Proposals for assistance towards full restoration of the devastated areas were considered, and the committee expressed its concurrence with the suggested procedure, whereby applications will be invited from persons in need of assistance. "The question of rendering assistance by way of further advances to mortgagors of the State Advances Office was also discussed, and I gave an assurance that preferential consideration would be given to applications of this nature bv the State Advances Office. "The question of restoring Murchison was discussed at some length, and it was resolved that as regards restoration at that centre the Nelson Committee should operate on similar lines to the Westport Committee, which as a preliminary measure aimed at providing at least one fire in each house, and partially restoring the comforts of residents. Tt was agreed that when this has been done th"e question of full restoration could be dealt with by calling for applications for assistance, and in the m°antime partial restoration would enable the people to return to their homes. Up to £2OOO was authorised meantime for this purpose."