Napier’s Progress

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 306, 22 September 1934, Page 9

Napier’s Progress

Sir,—The three correspondents, all from Napier, who took exception to my first letter are evidently under the illusion ’ that I eyas trying to start an acrimonious comparison between Hastings and Napier. While one can understand that it must be hard for the business people of Napier to see prosperity returning to Hastings while they are so badly hit, it is regret; table that there should be such jealousy. But no mention whatever of Hastings was made in my letter, and the whole question of earthauake loans is not a small local affair. When the member for Napier brought the matter of Napier’s plight before the House of Representatives, no doubt he was speaking only of Napier, but the question of earthquake loans is one that concerns the whole of New Zealand. Since 1931 there have been disastrous earthquakes, involving individuals as badly as some of the Napier victims, and it does not require a very vivid imagination to realise what losses would be incurred if a town larger than Napier were involved. No one who suffered in the 1931 earthquake, fails to realise that the only way in which a town can be rebuilt is by loans, and that every leniency must be extended to those who are genuinely striving to help themselves. But, having borrowed very heavily to rebuild a town, nre the authorities justified in borrowing hundreds of thousands of pounds for works that could wait until more prosperous times? No one begrudges Napier her fine buildings or questions the wisdom of widening the narrow streets and building for future requirements. But is she justified in floating further loans? If callous indifference to the sufferings of earthquake victims i- being shown, it surely is by those who are loading further responsibilities on to the people who are struggling to re-establish themselves.— I am. etc.. 1 COMMON SENSE. Hastings, September 19.