GENERAL CHURCH AID IN FIJI

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33065, 4 November 1972, Page 16

GENERAL CHURCH AID IN FIJI

The Anglican Church in Fiji has decided to put in a general fund most of the relief funds it expects to receive through the Government hurricane relief fund, rather than look after just its own church people, the Bishop in Polynesia (the Rt Rev J. T. Holland) says in a letter to The Friends of Polynesia in Christchurch.

Bishop Holland said thousands had lost their homes and in many cases their possessions. Gardens and crops had been devastated, countless trees uprooted and livestock losses had been heavy. The emergency would extend well into 1973. As far as could be ascertained, little structural harm had been done to diocesan buildings.

“Because this is a national undertaking which transcends all differences of race and religious faith we have decided, along with the other members of the Fiji Council of Churches, to channel through the hurricane relief fund by far the greatest part of the contributions we may receive,” said Bishop Holland.

"The $2OOO sent immediately and with typical generosity by the New Zealand National Council of Churches to the Fiji Council of Churches has already been placed in the fund, and the diocese has contributed $250 from its small emergency account.” He said the immediate and long-term costs of the hurricane had been given as at least s2m, but this might be too conservative. Much would depend on how soon new homes could be built and how quickly and successfully new crops could be grown.