'Responsibility to Fiji’

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33065, 4 November 1972, Page 14

'Responsibility to Fiji ’

Trading organisations which have reaped benefits from trade with Fiji have a responsibility to help her now that she really needs assistance, according to Mr D. A. Mundell, managing director of Trans Holdings, Ltd, a Christchurch company which has so far given $lOOO to the Red Cross Society for relief supplies in Fiji. “Hundreds of food, clothling, timber, and hardware manufacturers in New Zealand trade with Fiji and could only benefit in the future from giving aid now,” Mr Mundell said. In Christchurch, more than $5OOO has been received by branches of national overseas aid organisations for relief for Fiji. Mr R. J. Lipscombe, secre-tary-manager of the North Canterbury branch of the Red Cross Society, said yesterday that almost $5OOO had been received by the society in less than a week, to help with hurricane relief work. “Of this, $306 arrived in several separate contributions today, and $lOOO came in from the Catholic Overseas Aid committee on Thursday,” he said.

“In Fiji, a programme to feed 120,000 people daily for three months is being set up as a result of discussions in Suva between the Prime Minister of Fiji (Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara) and the New Zealand co-ordinator of the Red Cross in Fiji (Mr R. J. McKerrow),” Mr Lipscombe said.

Because it was only the beginning of the hurricane season in Fiji and others might be expected, it had been decided to stockpile roofing Iron until it was considered wise to construct buildings of permanent material. Mr Lipscombe said. Architects in Fiji were drawing plans of buildings to be constructed. “There is still a shortage of tanned meat, fish, and flour.” | e said. “Four ships will be leaving for Fiji during Nov-

ember, and the Red Cross will use its funds to send more relief supplies to Fiji in these, although most of the space will be taken up with Government relief supplies.” The Cantebury and Westland branch of C.0.R.5.0. has received $2OO in the two days since its Hurriance Bebe Appeal was announced. The appeal will be stepped up in mid-November, when a national collection will be made.