$50,000 opens fund

Press, 19 February 1983, Page 1

$50,000 opens fund

PA • Wellington The Government has started a disaster relief fund for victims of the Australian bush fires with a $50,000 donation. The Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, said that he knew many people would want to make a “practical expression of their own desire to help” by contributing to the fund, the money from which would go to Government-approved relief organisations. The setting up of the fund follows an offer of any assistance that could be given in transport or equipment, made by Mr Muldoon to the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, on Thursday.

“All New Zealanders are united in feelings of sympathy for the people in Vic-

toria and South Australia who have lost homes or family members,” Mr Muldoon said. Contributions to the fund can be made through Bank of New Zealand or National Bank branches. Christchurch people wishing to give money to fire victims can give to a fund begun yesterday by the Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay. Sir Hamish said:. “So many people have friends and relatives in Australia and a number have already approached me.” The Australian Fire Disaster Fund would enable donations to be channelled through the council, he said. The fund would probably run for several weeks when the council would work with Australian aid groups to dis-

tribute the money. Sir Hamish said Christchurch had a special affiliation with Adelaide because of its sister city relationship. That link and’ New Zealand ties with Australia would mean that many people might wish to make donations.

Money can be left at the Civic Offices in Tuam Street or posted to the council at P.O. Box 237. A $2O donation from a Riccarton ratepayer has started a Riccarton relief fund for victims of bushfires.

The Mayor'of Riccarton, Mr R. W. J. Harrington, opened the fund after he was approached yesterday by several other people with the same idea. Contributions can be left at the Borough Council office.

The Mayor of Ashburton, Mr G. J. Geering, has launched an appeal to help victims of the bushfires. The appeal was being organised through the Municipal Authorities Association and the money collected in New Zealand would be distributed through local bodies in the affected states, Mr Geering said. Donations could be left at the collection boxes provided at the Borough Council’s office, at “The Press” and Radio Ashburton offices, Tancred Street, and the “Ashburton Guardian” office, Burnett Street.

The Mayor of Gisborne, Mr Richard White, received

an immediate response to his appeal for the fire-ravaged shire of Gisborne, in Victoria. The Mayor of Auckland. Mr Colin' Kay. who has started an appeal for clothes and money to aid the victims of the bushfires, said yesterday that his telephone rang almost non-stop. Within a few hours, he said, piles of clothes, toys and linen had been given. A collection centre was set up at the Epsom Community House and teams of workers began labelling and packing the goods, which will be sent to Australia early next week. Mr Roichi Sasakawa. president of the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, gave five million yen ($NZ29.200) yesterday for the relief of victims of the Australian bushfires. The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Mr Michael Somare. yesterday offered 100.000 kina ($NZ184.950) to help victims of the fires. Mr Somare said that he had sent a message of sympathy to Mr Fraser. Offers of money and help for victims of the bushfires in Victoria and South Australia have been pouring into the Australian High Commission in Wellington and the Australian consulate in Auckland. Two New Zealand-based insurance companies. New Zealand South British and National, both in the top 10 in size in Australia, have set in motion emergency systems to cope with claims from the Australian fires.