EMPIRE SYMPATHY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 112, 5 February 1931, Page 11

EMPIRE SYMPATHY

Britain Deeply Moved ASSURANCES OF AID t( We Do Not Forget” tf Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (“Times" Cables) (Ree. February 4, 8 p.m.) London, February 3. “The Tinies,” in a leader, says: "In eoping with the present emergency New Zealand can be counted on to show the courage and energy of which already she has given many proofs in peace and war. ! “There will be no hesitation and no •tint in the help given to the inhabitants in the two cities laid in ruins ind in the ether towns and villages which have suffered less severely. Everything that can be done for them will be done.” The newspapers feature • lengthy messages from New Zealand and views of Napier, some attempting dramatic pictorial impressions based on the descriptions. Editorials voice the sympathy of the people of Great Britain. < TJe “Daily Telegraph" states that his Majesty has expressed the feelings throughout the Empire toward the Dominion, which has suffered a blow of appalling magnitude, hitherto unthought of in the province of Hawke’s Bay. "The danger zone there is in line with • crustal weakness running north-east from the volcanoes, but this heads away from Napier toward the Bay of Plenty. Auckland Beemed, if anything, nearer the danger zone than Napier. The prediction was falsified, and the blow struck where St was least expected.” < The “Morning Post” states that the ■rat presumption was that the earthquake was of volcanic origin, but appearances may be misleading. The “Daily Mail” states:— 1 “We do not forget what the splendid people of New Zealand did for the Empire in war-time. We lament the dead and pray for the injured. If there Is need for financial aid, as it would seem that there must be, people here, however hard the times, will be eager to help the sufferers whether by the medium of a Lord Mayor’s fund or a vote of Parliament.” PLUCKY POPULACE Australia, Pays Tribute REGRETS, COMPLIMENTS (Rec. February 4, 7.30 p.m.) Sydney, February 4. The “Sydney Morning Herald” says' that while, as in the majority of similar cases, the first reports of casualties and damage in the Hawke’s Bay disaster probably are considerably exaggerated, it is I undoubtedly serious. “Australia offers her heartfelt sympathy to the sufferers and the brreaved. "The unheralded character of an earthquake visitation increases the horror of it, and when the earth begins to quiver man is liable to become a prey to confusion and dismay. "Napier with fortitude escaped these manifestations; therefore we temper our regrets with our compliments." Other papers refer to the disaster in similar terms. ■ ' ■ SCULLIN’S MESSAGE Sympathy of Australia By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Canberra, February 4. Referring to the earthquake, the Prime Minister, Mr. Scullin, said: “It is an appalling disaster, and the sympathy of the people of Australia goes out to the people of New Zealand, particularly to those who have suffered through the tragic death of those near and dear to them.” RECORDED AT KEW Heavy Shock Registered ANXIETY IN LONDON (Rec. February 4, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless. Rugby, February 3. The Hawke’s Bay earthquake was recorded at Kew Observatory 12,000 miles distant from the scene of the disaster.. The registration was twice the amplitude of that of the 1920 disturbance. Another message states that a record was taken at Cairo. The news was published in London early in the morning, and there were many anxious inquirers at the High Commissioner’s Office, where official information was unavailable. ' ' ' Stocks Depressed. "The Times” city editor says that the earthquake has depressed New Zealand stocks. FELT IN INDIA Heavy Shocks Recorded BOMBAY AND CALCUTTA (Rec. February 4, 8 p.m.) Delhi, February 4. Earthquake shocks of great intensity were recorded in Bombay and Calcutta early yesterday morning at a distance of 6000 miles. They are believed to be those of the New Zealand ’quake. FROM “DAILY MAIL” Message to Prime Minister "Great Britain is extremely concerned at the earthquake in New Zealand,” states tint editor of the "Daily Mail” in a cablegram the Prime Minister. Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. received from him yesterday afternoon. "We are entirely at your service and will publish any message from you that you might think fit.” Mr Forbes replied as. follows: "The Dominion is deeply stirred by the disaster which has overtaken two of its most flour ishivg towns and surrounding district. (t is not possible to state the J,..« of life, but it is believed to be serious a.'d the material damage very great. The extreme severity of the shock has been confined to a restricted area. New Zea-l-aders. true to British courage, tradition.illy remain calm and resolute, and are determined to assist their stricken follow citizens to the fullest extent, and to take the earliest possible steps to repair the devastation inflicted by this ritnstropl ?. Many expressions of sympathy and g odwill from beyond our •bores have indeed touched us deeply.’