£25,000

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 89, 12 October 1923, Page 8

£25,000

DOMINION'S CONTRIBUTION

TO RELIEF OF JAPANESE

MONEY NOW ON ITS WAY.

New Zealand is providing £25,000 as its contribution to the relief of the 6uffexers.by the Japanese earthquakes. The money is now on its way to Japan.

An-announcement to the above effect nras made to "The Post" to-day by the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. Sir Francis Bell).

"Immediately after receipt of the first news 'Jof the great disaster in Japan," said Sir Francis Bell, "the New Zealand froverhment notified its desire to offer, on behalf of the Dominion, such aid in ihe relief of the sufferers as might be offered with due respect to the dignity of Japan as one of the Great Powers.

"It' was obvious to the Government that the first necessity was to provide vrith all speed food and other necessaries of life for the huge population, whose resources had been suddenly destroyed. From the neighbouring shores of their colonies and naval depots, Great Britain, America, and other nations were able to make such provision by fleets which could in a brief period be loaded, dispatched to, and arrive at the required destination! But the geographical distance of New Zealand from Japan is such that we could not render that class of aid until long after the immediate necessity had been met.

"For that reason the New Zealand Government, by cable, through the Gov-ernor-General, offered to supplement the efforts of His Majesty's Government by substantial contribution to tho cost. The Secretary of Stater' cordially recognised New Zealand's desire to join with His Majesty's Government in its effort, but, m thp immediate danger of starvation had been met, suggested that the New Zealand Government might ascertain through H.M. Ambassador at Tokio the wishes of the Government of Japan on the subject.

"That course was adopted, and we ■were informed that money would be accepted, but that supplies of timber and clothing wore the most urgent necessities. ;.Th« Government endeavoured to obtain freight, and if that difficulty could have been met would have proceeded to purchase large quantities of timber and blankets in New Zealand; It was, however, found impossible to arrange for shipment in considerable quantities.. The Government, through His Excellency, informed the British Arnlassador of the position, and ascertained that the equivalent in money would be accepted.

"The sum of £25,000 is now in course of transmission to the Ambassador, w> he handed by him to the Japanese Government from the Government of New Zealand as our contribution to the relief of the sufferers from the disaster.

"From the first the matter has had anxious and continuous consideration by the Government, which has throughout desired to comply with the wish of the T>eople. of the Dominion that some practical proof should be given of our syrn-pathy-with the Japanese nation, and our grateful memory of its alliance in the Great' War," '